Captivating images of Pele surfaced in Brazil 4-1 dominant victory over South Korea in the Qatar World Cup tournament.
Images of the Brazilian legendary footballer Pelé celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil’s national team appeared radiantly on the shirts, flags, and banners of the Brazilian fans who were at the Seleçao’s World Cup match against South Korea on Monday, December 5.
In the 10th minute of the first and second halves, Brazilian fans opened a large banner with Pele’s picture behind one of the goals at Stadium 974, a reference to his No. 10 jersey that he used to wear, and chorused his name.
Note that during the playing days of the 82-year-old Brazilian football icon, he used to wear the shirt number 10 for both country and club, Santos.
The Brazilian unwell legendary forward Pelé remained in a hospital in Sao Paulo recovering from a respiratory illness that was worsened by COVID-19, and said he would watch his nation’s match from there on television.
Pele wrote on his Twitter: “I’ll be watching the game from the hospital and I’ll be rooting for each one of you, Good luck!”
The South American football giants trampled over South Korea and are on to their eighth straight World Cup quarter-final match.
PSG and Brazilian veteran player Neymar returned from injury to help his country to victory and heightens their Qatar World Cup hopes by dominating and defeating South Korea in a 4-1 crucial match.
The whipping started early with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr opening up the scoring for Brazil at Doha’s Stadium 974 in the seventh minute when he converted a brilliant cross from Neymar.
Afterward, three more goals delivered by Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta before the end of the first half gave the Seleçao’s an ample victory.
The South Koreans, however, managed to get a solitary goal from Paik Seung-ho in the 77th minute and kept the indomitable Brazilians from finding the back of their net in the second half till the end of the game.
The Spirited South American team has now proceeded to their eight straight World Cup quarter-finals following Monday’s 4-1 humiliating victory over South Korea.
Meanwhile, after Brazil’s 4-1 victory, Neymar carried a banner with the legendary footballer’s image with “Pelé” written on it.
The entire team then posed behind it near midfield to show him their support.
The 82-year-old Pelé had a colon tumor removed last year, but neither his family nor the hospital has said whether or not it had spread.
After the surgery, the Brazilian unwell legendary forward Pelé remained in a hospital in Sao Paulo recuperating from a respiratory illness that was aggravated by COVID-19.
However, the latest news about Pele, coming from Brazil early on Monday before their clash against South Korea was good.
Two daughters and one grandson of the legendary striker confirmed that Pele was not at imminent risk of death.
And this reason sparks the celebration of many Brazilians who have been cheering for the Selecao and also showing their support for Pelé in Qatar.
A 35-year-old Brazilian fan, Raphael Bissonho noted: “We are all happy to hear that he is getting better,”
“He’s the King of Football, our biggest symbol in soccer. He represents Brazil as best as anyone. Let’s hope that soon he is out of the hospital and showing us a photo of him watching the national team on the television.”
As the Brazilians pray and hope for Pele’s quick recovery, the Seleçao’s fans will aspire to see Brazil make more booties in the Qatar World Cup competition in their next match against Croatia.
Meanwhile, as the Brazilians basked in their fantastic victory against South Korea, football pundit Roy Keane seems not to be interested in their success nor salute the Brazilians for the support they showed towards Pele.
The Irish football manager has described Brazil’s free-scoring stars as ‘disrespectful’ as he compared their choreographed dance celebrations to watching Strictly Come Dancing.
Following Vinicius’ opener, the Seleçao’s performed a pre-planned dance routine to celebrate their goals, something that left Roy Keane ravaged during the half-time break.
Brazil got the manager doing dance celebrations 😭😭😭😭😭#WorldcupQatar2022#Brasil#WorldCup
— Bowen (@brown77864) December 5, 2022
pic.twitter.com/sN5WYhBMfl
Keane said: “I’ve never seen so much dancing, it’s like watching Strictly!”
”Fantastic finish by Vinicius, great start to the game. But I’ve never seen so much dancing,”
‘I can’t believe what I’m watching, I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s like watching Strictly [Come Dancing].’
The Samba Dance 🔥🔥 Brazil pic.twitter.com/8cLSibWoMm
— 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐓™ (@SupremeGoat) December 5, 2022
Keane believes the winning team should show some reverence to the losing side as he described Brazil’s dance gestures as being disrespectful to South Korea.
He added: ‘I don’t like this. People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s disrespecting the opposition.’
Roy Keane unhappy about Brazil’s celebrations 🇧🇷 🕺🏿#TouchlineFracas [@BeardedGenius]pic.twitter.com/xOkPdd5jqW
— #TouchlineFracas (@touchlinefracas) December 5, 2022
What’s Next for Brazil?
After a convenient 4-1 win over South Korea, Brazil will now face Croatia at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Friday, December 9, 2022.
Kickoff time is scheduled for 16:00 BST.
