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 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.