Brazil’s gamers paid tribute to legend Pele, who’s receiving hospital remedy in Sao Paulo as a result of his ailing well being, after sauntering to a 4-1 World Cup victory over South Korea. Following Monday’s last-16 match at Stadium 974 in Doha, the gamers unfurled an enormous banner to the 82-year-old, extensively thought to be one of many biggest gamers of all time. First-half objectives from Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta noticed Brazil put the sport to mattress lengthy earlier than Paik Seung-ho’s beautiful comfort within the second interval.

“It’s hard to talk about what Pele is going through right now but I wish him all the best,” mentioned Neymar, who made his return from an ankle harm to play many of the recreation.

“I hope he will be back in good health as soon as possible and that we could have at least comforted him with the victory,” Neymar instructed Globo.

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Pele’s battle with colon most cancers is offering motivation for the gamers to attempt to win a record-extending sixth world title — the primary three of which Pele was a part of.

“He needs a lot of strength from us and this victory is for him, so that he can come out of this situation and that we can be champions for him,” mentioned Vinicius.

‘I used to be afraid’

Neymar’s return gave Brazil an enormous enhance and so they had been on fireplace proper from the primary minute.

His thirteenth minute objective from the penalty spot took Neymar to inside one objective of Pele’s document 77 strikes for Brazil.

But he admitted there had been moments after he was injured in Brazil’s opening World Cup match in opposition to Serbia that he thought his event is likely to be over.

“When I got injured I spent a very difficult night. I was thinking of a million different things,” mentioned Neymar, who added he had been “crying a lot”.

“I was afraid of not being able to play in this World Cup again but I had the support of all my teammates and my family who gave me strength.”

Richarlison paid tribute to the crew’s talisman, saying Neymar’s very presence on the pitch makes the sport simpler for everybody else.

“I’m very happy about the return of Neymar. On the pitch he drags away two or three players creating space for the others,” mentioned Richarlison, who now has three objectives within the event.

“Neymar provides a competitive advantage, he makes the difference on the pitch — he’s the driving force,” added assistant coach Cesar Sampaio.

Richarlison additionally praised coach Tite’s resolution to relaxation virtually your complete first crew of their final group stage match, a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon after their progress to the knock-out phases was already safe.

“We played with intensity from the first minute and that was because we rested a part of the team in the last match, so you have to give credit to the boss,” mentioned Richarlison.

Tite’s quite a few adjustments meant he has now given your complete 26-man squad some motion on the event, with even third-choice goalkeeper Weverton enjoying the final 10 minutes in opposition to Korea.

“The game was practically over when I came on, but no goalkeeper likes to concede a goal,” he quipped.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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