The Brazilian side went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Neymar and Danilo, but put their fans, including Pele, through a nervy final ten minutes when an own-goal from Durval leaving them with a narrow lead.
However, Santos held on, and the 70-year-old was delighted despite the tension. “My heart almost flew out of my mouth!” he told Globo TV in reference to Durval’s own-goal. “The last ten minutes were so hard to watch, almost painful.
“But it’s wonderful. I am emotional at a time like this, especially with all the difficulties of the club, having recently gone through four different coaches,” he added.
Pele, who played for Santos in the 1963 final, the last time they lifted the trophy prior to last night, said that it was much easier to be playing in the deciding game rather than watching it: “As a fan, it is more complicated. But it is a great prize for us.”
The three time World Cup winner, who is also an ambassador for the Copa Libertadores, also joked about comparisons between himself and Neymar. Asked by Fox Sports Latin if the 19-year-old could one day take his crown, Pele said: “If he can score 1283 goals like I did, then yes.”
He also did not miss the opportunity to take a swipe at Argentinian football, adding: “Let’s hope Neymar can repeat his good form for Brazil, unlike Lionel Messi, who only plays well for his club.”
