The legendary Brazilian forward Pelé, who is currently battling cancer, wrote a letter to fans of the Brazilian team which failed to make it to the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Pelé encouraged them not to be upset by the team's defeat, reminding that the Brazilians are driven by love, which is what has helped the national team win world championships in the past.
Despite the pain of being knocked out of the World Cup, I ask the Brazilians to remember what led us to the first five stars on our chest. We are driven by love. I don't know why we are so crazy about football. It's the love of true friendship in sports, of a victory shout, or of forgetting all the problems we face, even if the match is only 90 minutes long. Perhaps it's the love of fighting poverty, hunger and drugs that football brings to many of the communities that make up such a huge country. There are many merits to the most beautiful sport. All the more so here in Brazil.
The Brazilian team defeated Serbia (2-0) and Switzerland (1-0) in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, but lost to Cameroon (0-1). The South African team defeated South Korea (4-1) in the round of 16, but was defeated by Croatia (1-1, 2-4 - penalties) in the quarterfinals and left the tournament.
Pelé is the only player to have won the World Cup three times.
The final match of the World Cup 2022 Argentina vs France will take place on December 18 at 18:00 GMT+3.
