Neymar breaks Pele’s record and becomes Brazil’s all-time top scorer after notching two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying
Neymar breaks Pele’s record to become Brazil’s all-time top scorer after scoring in a 5-1 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying
- Neymar scored a goal in Brazil’s 5–1 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying
- The Al Hilal forward surpasses Pele’s goals record of 77 against national teams
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!
Neymar eclipsed Pele as the Brazil national team’s top scorer after overtaking the three-time World Cup winner’s career tally on Friday.
The goal that put 31-year-old Neymar at the top of the Brazilian scoring record with 78 came in the 61st minute in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in the Amazon city of Belém.
It was the fourth goal of the match for Brazil in a 5–1 win, with the final goal of the match also scored by Neymar – his 79th – during stoppage time.
Neymar’s record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty area, which the striker finished accurately from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pelé usually did.
Neymar celebrated his 78th and 79th goals in their 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia
The Brazilian forward moved from PSG to Al Hilal this summer for £78m and is expected to earn £260m
Neymar made his debut at the age of 18 and won the Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics
“I am very happy, there are no words for this,” Neymar said in brief comments to the media after being presented with a plaque by Brazilian Football Federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues. “I never thought I would achieve this record.”
Earlier, the Al-Hilal striker missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Billy Viscarra saved. Neymar’s second goal of the match similarly came close to the final whistle, with another low cross from Raphinha.
The Brazilian Football Association considers Pelé to be the top scorer with 95 goals in 114 games. FIFA does not count the goals scored by Pelé during friendly matches against clubs.
“78 times Neymar,” the Brazilian Football Federation said on social media after Neymar’s record-breaking goal. “Neymar scores the fifth for the Selecao,” it said after the striker’s second goal against Bolivia.
Rodrigues, the president of the Brazilian Football Federation, reiterated that Neymar “has become the all-time top scorer for Brazil in matches against national teams.”
However, Pelé’s Foundation recognized Neymar’s achievement.
“Congratulations, Neymar Jr., for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian national team in official FIFA matches,” it said on social media. “Pelé is definitely applauding you today!”
“I want to say that this (the record) does not mean that I am better than him (Pelé) or than any player,” Neymar added in his short statement. “I always wanted to write my story in the national team, and today I succeeded.”
Neymar’s most recent match for Brazil before the win over Bolivia was last year’s World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play Selecao’s first three games this year.
New Brazilian coach Fernando Diniz said Neymar came to play for Brazil “to score goals, to break records, to show that he is very willing to experience this (the national team).”
“He is a great hero,” Diniz said. “People have to recognize it and accept it. He does nothing to get this adoration from the crowd. It’s because of the natural talent he has.”
Neymar with his teammates after breaking the record as Brazil’s all-time top scorer
Bolivian goalkeeper Billy Viscara saved Neymar’s early penalty, but still scored a brace