Pele

Brazil legend Pele sent a message to Neymar after the 30-year-old equalled his goalscoring record but crashed out of the World Cup against Croatia.

Neymar himself hinted that [that game may his last in the Canarinha shirt](https://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-hints-brazil-retirement-after-croatia-world-cup-loss/bltf856e44766009efe/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm), as another opportunity for World Cup glory evaded the Paris Saint-Germain forward. However, a Bruno Petkovic leveller three minutes from time took the game to [a shootout in which Neymar was unable feature,](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-should-have-taken-brazil-first-penalty-fans-react-as-croatia-progress-in-world-cup/blt94bfb6086f712bc6) after Marquinhos missed the decisive penalty. [an extra-time strike that brought him level with Pele on 77 goals](https://www.goal.com/en/news/watch-neymar-equals-pele-scoring-record-extra-time-goal-croatia-world-cup-quarter-final/blt36f49ea9ad26a911/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm).

Neymar moved level on Brazil goals with Pelé in Friday's quarter-final tie with Croatia, but it was not enough to see the Seleção through.

Discussing his future following the loss to Croatia, in which he did not take a penalty in the shoot-out, Neymar said: “The feeling is really bad. More than that, I hope that your achievement spreads to the millions of people who follow you to challenge what seems impossible. However, Brazil became the first team in the tournament’s history to be eliminated from a knockout match in which they scored the opening goal during extra-time. Neymar scored his 77th goal at senior level for Brazil midway through extra-time to open the scoring in Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become. However, you know, as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing our country.

Pele wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram to Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar Jr. following Brazil's elimination from the 2022 World Cup.

However, you know, as well as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing our country.” Inspire our colleagues in the profession today, the next generations, and most of all inspire all who love our sport. “Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become.

NEYMAR has cast doubt on his international future after Brazil suffered World Cup heartbreak against Croatia.But Pele has urged him to "keep inspiring.

I’ve learned as time goes by the more our legacy grows." "Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. I will not close the door to playing with Brazil, nor do I say 100 per cent that I’ll come back. I think talking now is bad because of the heat of the moment. He added: "Keep inspiring us all I will continue to punch the air of happiness with every goal you score, as I did in every match I saw you on the field." "I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team."

Brazil legend Pele sent a message to Neymar after the 30-year-old equalled his goalscoring record but crashed out of the World Cup against Croatia.

Neymar himself hinted that [that game may his last in the Canarinha shirt](https://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-hints-brazil-retirement-after-croatia-world-cup-loss/bltf856e44766009efe/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm), as another opportunity for World Cup glory evaded the Paris Saint-Germain forward. However, a Bruno Petkovic leveller three minutes from time took the game to [a shootout in which Neymar was unable feature,](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-should-have-taken-brazil-first-penalty-fans-react-as-croatia-progress-in-world-cup/blt94bfb6086f712bc6) after Marquinhos missed the decisive penalty. [an extra-time strike that brought him level with Pele on 77 goals](https://www.goal.com/en/news/watch-neymar-equals-pele-scoring-record-extra-time-goal-croatia-world-cup-quarter-final/blt36f49ea9ad26a911/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm).

Pele urged Neymar to "keep inspiring us" on Saturday after the Brazil forward dropped a retirement hint following his team's shock World Cup defeat to ...

That adds to the greatness of your achievement." "Keep inspiring us. "I learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows," Pele wrote.

"Your legacy is far from over," Pele wrote on Instagram. Read more at straitstimes.com.

That adds to the greatness of your achievement.” AFP You made it, my boy. [equalled Pele’s record goal tally of 77 goals for the Selecao.](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-neymar-equals-peles-record-of-77-brazil-goals) [hospitalised earlier this month](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-pele-health-improving-progressively) during treatment for colon cancer, congratulated Neymar for equalling his goalscoring record. [quarter-final exit in Doha.](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-croatia-oust-favourites-brazil-on-penalties-to-reach-semi-finals) [dropped a retirement hint](https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-neymar-says-no-guarantee-he-will-play-for-brazil-again) following his team’s World Cup shoot-out defeat by Croatia.

Brazil legend Pele sent a consolation message to Neymar after Brazil crashed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Croatia; The 30-year-old Paris ...

“Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become. [Dani Alves](https://sportsbrief.com/tag/dani-alves/) believes [Neymar will continue playing for Brazil](https://sportsbrief.com/football/30032-alves-predicts-neymars-move-world-cup-heartbreak-brazil/#:~:text=however%20thinks%20the%20contrary%20as%20he) and will not retire from the national team following their shocking World Cup loss to Croatia. [World](https://sportsbrief.com/tag/world/) champions were booted out of the competition but Pele was quick to congratulate the PSG star, [Goal ](https://www.goal.com/en/news/boy-sends-message-support-neymar-brazil-world-cup-exit/blt43f0d2fa919dfd97#:~:text=you%20every%20day%20and%20finally%20I%20can%20congratulate%20you)reports.

Brazil legend Pele sent a message to Neymar after the 30-year-old equalled his goalscoring record but crashed out of the World Cup against Croatia.

Neymar himself hinted that [that game may his last in the Canarinha shirt](https://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-hints-brazil-retirement-after-croatia-world-cup-loss/bltf856e44766009efe/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm), as another opportunity for World Cup glory evaded the Paris Saint-Germain forward. However, a Bruno Petkovic leveller three minutes from time took the game to [a shootout in which Neymar was unable feature,](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-should-have-taken-brazil-first-penalty-fans-react-as-croatia-progress-in-world-cup/blt94bfb6086f712bc6) after Marquinhos missed the decisive penalty. [an extra-time strike that brought him level with Pele on 77 goals](https://www.goal.com/en/news/watch-neymar-equals-pele-scoring-record-extra-time-goal-croatia-world-cup-quarter-final/blt36f49ea9ad26a911/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm).

Neymar signalled he could be ready to quit international football on Friday after Brazil suffered an agonising quarter-final exit in Doha.

That adds to the greatness of your achievement." "Keep inspiring us. "I learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows," Pele wrote.

Neymar signalled he could be ready to quit international football on Friday after Brazil suffered an agonising quarter-final exit in Doha. The 30-year-old would ...

Pele, 82, said in a message on Instagram that he hoped the superstar forward would carry on playing, adding that goalscoring achievements were no match for the honour of representing Brazil. The 30-year-old would not confirm if he would play for the five-time champions again after a match in which he equalled Pele’s record goalscoring haul of 77 goals for the Selecao. Pele urged Neymar to “keep inspiring us” on Saturday after the Brazil forward dropped a retirement hint following his team’s shock World Cup defeat to Croatia.

Pele took to social media to try to reassure Neymar after Brazil's painful elimination from the 2022 World Cup at the hands of Croatia in a penalty shootout ...

"Keep inspiring us. "I saw you grow," Pele said on Instagram. "We both know that this is more than a figure. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.' - World Cup. [Neymar](https://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2022/12/09/639372fd268e3efc108b45f5.html) after [Brazil's painful elimination from the 2022 World Cup](https://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/cronica/2022/12/09/6393706d268e3ef7418b45db.html) at the hands of Croatia in a penalty shootout.

Brazil legend Pele sent a message to Neymar after the 30-year-old equalled his goalscoring record but crashed out of the World Cup against Croatia.

Neymar himself hinted that [that game may his last in the Canarinha shirt](https://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-hints-brazil-retirement-after-croatia-world-cup-loss/bltf856e44766009efe/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm), as another opportunity for World Cup glory evaded the Paris Saint-Germain forward. However, a Bruno Petkovic leveller three minutes from time took the game to [a shootout in which Neymar was unable feature,](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-should-have-taken-brazil-first-penalty-fans-react-as-croatia-progress-in-world-cup/blt94bfb6086f712bc6) after Marquinhos missed the decisive penalty. [an extra-time strike that brought him level with Pele on 77 goals](https://www.goal.com/en/news/watch-neymar-equals-pele-scoring-record-extra-time-goal-croatia-world-cup-quarter-final/blt36f49ea9ad26a911/match/6pjywulo227g9olkreqoforxm).