DOHA, Dec  10, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - 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 Croatia.
       Neymar signalled he could be ready to quit international football on Friday 
after Brazil suffered an agonising quarter-final exit in Doha.
       The 30-year-old would not confirm if he would play for the five-time 
champions again after a match in which he equalled Pele's record goalscoring 
haul of 77 goals for the Selecao.
       "I am not closing any doors on the national team but I am also not 
guaranteeing 100 percent that I will return," said Neymar, who left the field 
in tears following the penalty shootout loss.
       Pele, 82, said in a message on Instagram that he hoped the superstar 
forward would carry on playing, adding that goalscoring achievements were no 
match for the honour of representing Brazil.
       "You know, as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing 
our country," Pele wrote on Instagram.
       "I'm 82 years old, and after all this time, I hope I've inspired you in 
some way to get this far.... Your legacy is far from over. 
       "Keep inspiring us. I will continue punching the air with happiness with 
every goal you score, as I have done in every game I've seen you on the pitch."
       Pele, who was hospitalised earlier this month during treatment for colon 
cancer, congratulated Neymar for equalling his goalscoring record.
       "I learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows," Pele 
wrote. 
       "My record was set almost 50 years ago, and no one has been able to get 
close to it until now. You made it, my boy. That adds to the greatness of your 
achievement."