Football great Pele says he has personally told young Brazil striker Neymar to stop diving.

Pele acknowledges that Neymar is at a disadvantage because he is not as strong as most defenders trying to mark him, but says he is "exaggerating" with his attempts to get referees to award fouls.

Pele says the 19-year-old Santos player would often have been better off continuing his run instead of going down in a bid to earn a free kick or penalty. He says he told Neymar to stop putting on a show every time a defender touches him.

Pele's comments came as Neymar and Santos prepare to play the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol on today.

Santos hasn't won the Copa Libertadores since Pele played in 1962 and '63.