Neymar overtakes Pelé as Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer
Neymar Has overtaken pele become Brazilis the men’s all-time top scorer and scored two goals for his national team 5-1 Victory in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in the Amazon city of Belém.
The Al Hilal The striker was level with Pelé, who scored 77 goals for Brazil between 1957 and 1971. Neymar has now scored 79 goals in 125 international matches.
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“I never thought I could achieve this record. I want to say that I am not a better player than Pelé,” Neymar said after the game. “I always wanted to write my own story, to write my name in the history of Brazilian football and the national team. And today I did it.”
Brazil womenStriker Marta holds the country’s record with 115 goals in 171 games.
Neymar’s record-breaking goal came from a low cross into the penalty area, which the striker finished with precision from close range. He celebrated by punching the air, as Pelé usually did.
At the start of the game, Neymar missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which the goalkeeper was injured Guillermo Viscarra Rescued.
Pelé’s foundation paid tribute to Neymar’s achievement.
“Congratulations, Neymar Jr., on surpassing the king of goals for the Brazilian national team in official FIFA matches,” it said said on social media. “I’m sure Pelé is applauding you today!”
Pelé died of cancer in Sao Paulo on December 29 at the age of 82.
striker Rodrygowho also scored two goals against Bolivia, said he was still a big Neymar fan.
“Neymar is a real hero for me,” said Rodrygo. “I will remember that, it was a very special day.”
New Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said Neymar came to play for Brazil “to score goals, break records and show that he is very willing to live this.” [with the national team.]”
“He’s a great hero,” Diniz said. “People need to recognize it and accept it. He doesn’t do anything to get this admiration that he gets from the crowd, it’s because of his natural talent.”
Neymar’s last game for Brazil before the win over Bolivia was the World Cup quarter-final loss to Brazil Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play the Selecao’s first three games this year.
The previous santos, Barcelona And Paris St Germain Star scored a goal on his Brazil debut in a friendly match against Brazil in 2010 United States.
Neymar led Brazil to the Confederations Cup title in 2013 but has yet to lead the country to the World Cup final, reaching the quarter-finals twice – in 2018 and 2022 – and the semi-finals in 2014, when they suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat Germany on home soil.
He missed Brazil’s 2019 Copa America triumph due to injury and was on the losing side in the final against Brazil Argentina.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious club career full of awards, including two LaLiga titles, a Champions League trophy, five Ligue 1 titles and a Copa Libertadores.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
