Former Brazilian soccer player Edson Arantes do Nascimento 'Pelé', hospitalized since last week, congratulated Neymar this Friday for equaling his number of goals in the national team (77) and asked him to continue in the national team, despite the painful elimination against Croatia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar.
"His legacy is far from over. Continue to inspire us and I will continue to punch the air with happiness with every goal he scores, as I did with every game in which I saw him on the field," said the 82-year-old three-time world champion. years, in their social networks.
Pelé, undergoing treatment for colon cancer, has been admitted since November 29 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in the city of Sao Paulo, where he is recovering satisfactorily from a lung infection, according to doctors.
After the defeat of the Tite team in a penalty shootout against Croatia, the legendary former striker wanted to send a message of encouragement to Neymar, who after the match broke down in tears on the pitch and left open the possibility of retiring from the national team.
"Unfortunately, it is no longer a happy day for us, but you will always be a source of inspiration that many want to become. I learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows," he said.
Pelé also took the opportunity to congratulate Neymar for matching the 77 goals he scored with Canarinha, according to FIFA accounts, and sharing the fact that they are the national team's all-time top scorers.
"We both know that this is much more than a number. Our greatest duty, as players, is to inspire. To inspire our professional colleagues today, the next generations and, above all, inspire all those who love our sport", said.
"My record was established almost 50 years ago and no one had managed to approach it until now. You got there, boy. That gives value to the greatness of your conquest," he added. However, he insisted that "no number is greater than the joy of representing" Brazil.
"I am 82 years old and, after such a long time, I hope to have inspired you in some way to go this far. I hope that his conquest infects the millions of people who follow him to challenge what seems impossible", completed Pelé, who like Neymar, He was formed at Santos.
Pelé is admitted to evaluate a change in the chemotherapy treatment he has undergone since a colon tumor was removed in September 2021.
Days later, doctors reported that he also suffered from a respiratory infection, which arose after the former soccer player contracted covid-19 about a month ago, according to his daughters.
His daughters have also denied press reports according to which Pelé is no longer responding to chemotherapy treatment, so his doctors decided to suspend it and go to palliative care.
