Neymar Broke Pelé’s Record
Neymar broke Pelé’s record, but he doesn’t consider himself the best player in Brazil despite surpassing him. In the first round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
In the match against Bolivia, the Brazilian player scored a couple of goals and missed another opportunity by failing to convert a penalty. Neymar Jr., who netted a brace in Brazil’s 5-1 victory over Bolivia on Friday, September 8th.
Neymar broke Pelé’s record as the top scorer for the national team but emphasized that he doesn’t see himself as better than the late idol. “I’m very happy.
I never imagined I would break that record. But I don’t want to say I’m better than Pelé just because I surpassed him in this record,” said the forward after the triumph in the Amazonian city of Belém in the first round of qualifiers.
The goal-scorer received a plaque from the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, as the top scorer for the national team in matches “between national teams“.
According to FIFA’s count, alongside Pelé, Neymar had 77 goals, but with his two goals this Friday in the Amazonian city of Belém, the former Barcelona player surpassed the eternal idol.
For the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which includes some friendly matches against clubs that FIFA does not consider, Pelé has 95 goals compared to Neymar’s 79.
“I just want to write my name in the history of the Brazilian national team and thank my family, who is far away, and my teammates,” Neymar expressed while receiving the commemorative plaque.
Neymar Broke Pelé’s Record
The Saudi Al-Hilal forward missed an early opportunity to become Brazil’s all-time top scorer by failing to convert a penalty at the 16-minute mark, following a handball by Adrián Jusino after a play by Rodrygo.
The 4-0, which was Neymar’s first goal of the night and established his record, came at the sixty-minute mark when the former PSG striker finished past Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra after an assist from Rodrygo.
In the 79th minute, Neymar struck the crossbar, and in injury time at the 92nd minute, he got his second goal and Brazil’s fifth with a cross-shot from Raphinha, a Barcelona forward.
The other goals for Canarinha were scored by Rodrygo, who also netted a brace, and Raphinha. Víctor Ábrego scored Bolivia’s consolation goal.
Behind Neymar (79 goals) and Pelé (77), the list includes Ronaldo Nazário (62), Romário (55), Zico (48), Bebeto (39), Rivaldo (35), Jairzinho and Ronaldinho Gaúcho (33), and Ademir and Tostão (32), all retired according to FIFA’s statistics.
The question on everyone’s mind: Can Neymar reach 100 goals with Brazil? Well, it’s a long journey.
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