Neymar equals Pele’s record
Brazil can cite objective criteria to avoid giving Neymar this coveted recognition. But most Brazilians would forgive the CBF for using this goal-counting method as a pretext to do so. If it didn’t, Neymar would replace Pele as the face – not just of Brazilian soccer but of Brazilian pride. And you’d be hard-pressed to find any Brazilian who would welcome that.
I don’t blame the CBF. After all, Neymar has exposed himself as a blonde, self-hating useful idiot. Only that explains the public show he made of supporting the racist Jair Bolsonaro for president. That made about as much sense as Kanye West supporting the racist Donald Trump.
So yeah, Neymar is the Ye of Brazil. That alone makes him unworthy of any comparison with the Black and proud Pele.
Then, of course, there’s the way he led Brazil in losing to Croatia in the quarter-finals at the World Cup yesterday. That was shocking and embarrassing. But it made Neymar a three-time loser World Cup loser. Pele is a three-time champion.
Pele consoles Neymar
But Pele is the GOAT because he’s as great a person as he was a player. He demonstrated this yesterday by consoling Neymar after that humiliating loss. Here is what he wrote in an Instagram post:
I saw you grow up, I cheered for you every day and finally I can congratulate you on equaling my number of goals with the Brazilian National Team. We both know that it’s much more than a number. Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our colleagues in the profession today, the next generations and most of all inspire all who love our sport.
Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become. I’ve learned as time goes by the more our legacy grows. My record was set almost 50 years ago, and no one has come close to it until now. U got there boy This values the greatness of your Neymar Jr.
Can you imagine Neymar consoling his heir apparent in a similar fashion…? I can’t.