“I watched you grow up, I was rooting for you every day. And now I can finally congratulate you for matching my goals for Brazil,” Pelé wrote on Instagram. “We both know it’s more than just a number. Our biggest job is to inspire our teammates, the next generation and everyone who loves our sport,” added Pelé, who is hospitalized in São Paulo due to a respiratory infection.
Thirty-year-old Neymar, who missed two matches at the Qatar championship with an ankle injury, has scored 77 goals in 124 games. It took Pelé 92 games to score the same number of goals, the last time he scored for Brazil was in a friendly against Austria in 1971.
Neymar scored twice in Qatar, but the Brazilians once again fell short of high expectations. They have been waiting for a medal since 2002, when they dominated the championship and won a record fifth title. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last five championships.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the happiest day in the end. But my record has been here for over 50 years and no one has even come close. Only you have made it. This shows what an achievement it was,” Pelé said.
