Prior to Pele, 10 was “just a number,” according to Brazil star, Neymar, who was paying homage to his late countryman.
The legendary figure has died at the age of 82 after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.
Pele transcended the game of football, but nowhere felt it more than his native Brazil. Pele’s role in their three World Cup triumphs – in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – helped him establish himself as arguably the greatest player in history.
Pele has remained the standard that all young Brazilians aim to match.
The likes of Ronaldo, Romario and Ronaldinho have all idolised the icon and Neymar is the latest to follow in his footsteps – wearing the No 10 at the recent World Cup.
The PSG star hailed the impact he had on football and underlined the fact his legacy will live on.
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He wrote on social media: “Before Pelé, 10 was just a number. I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete.
“I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.
🎙Neymar on Instagram:
“Before Pele, 10 was just a number. Before Pele, football was just a sport. He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to blacks, and visibility to Brazil. He is gone, but his magic remains. Pele is FOREVER.” pic.twitter.com/5I97KPQ3vU
— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) December 29, 2022
“He gave voice to the poor, to the blacks and especially: He gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is FOREVER!!”
Neymar currently sits top of Brazil’s record scorers list – a standing his shares with Pele. Both men have scored 77 times for their country, albeit Pele did so in far fewer games.
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