World Cup 2022: Pele Sends Message of Support to Neymar After Brazil Exit

• 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 Saint-Germain forward had equalled Pele’s goalscoring record for Brazil bit it was not enough to secure a semifinal ticket
• Brazil has now failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals in the last three editions of the FIFA World Cup

Brazil icon, Pele has branded Neymar an inspiration to younger athletes after witnessing the Paris Saint-Germain star equal his record for the national team.

The 30-year-old had taken Brazil within striking distance of the World Cup semi-finals with an extra-time goal that tied him even with Pele on 77 goals.

Neymar was however reduced to tears as the five-time World champions were booted out of the competition but Pele was quick to congratulate the PSG star, Goal reports.

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"I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and finally I can congratulate you for equaling my number of goals with the Brazilian national team.

“Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become. I've learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows.”

Neymar still stands a chance to surpass Pele’s record although he has hinted he could retire from the national team after the World Cup.

Why Neymar didn’t take Brazil’s penalty

Meanwhile, Tite has confirmed the reason for Neymar’s absence in the penalty shootout loss to Croatia as Brazil were knockout out of the World Cup, Daily Post reports.

Neymar was designated to take Brazil’s fifth penalty in the shootouts but unfortunately did not get a chance to take a spotkick for the five-time world champions.

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Rodrygo and Marquinhos failed to score from the spot for the Brazilians as Croatia went on to win 4-2 and qualify for the semi-final.

Dani Alves predicts Neymar’s next move

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Dani Alves believes Neymar will continue playing for Brazil and will not retire from the national team following their shocking World Cup loss to Croatia.

The 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar had hinted the 2022 World Cup could be his last for Brazil as he does not think I’ll be around in four years’ time with the national team.

Alves however thinks the contrary as he believes Brazilian football needs Neymar even more now as he is one of the country’s best players so far.