Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. made history by surpassing Pelé as the country’s top male all-time scorer with 79 international goals. Neymar achieved this milestone during Brazil’s 5-1 victory over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifying match. The 31-year-old forward, who has represented Brazil 125 times, scored twice in the match, securing his place in Brazilian football history.
In his post-match comments, Neymar humbly acknowledged his achievement, stating, “I never imagined reaching this record.” He emphasized that he did not consider himself a better player than Pelé but expressed his desire to make his own mark in the history of Brazilian football and the national team, a goal he has now accomplished.
Pelé, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, scored 77 goals for Brazil and remains the only player to have won three FIFA World Cups. His legacy in the sport is celebrated globally, and his contributions to Brazilian football are legendary. Pelé passed away in December at the age of 82, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Neymar’s journey in football has taken him from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, where he briefly held the title of the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined the French club in 2017. His remarkable career continues to be a source of pride for Brazilian football fans, and he now holds a special place in the nation’s football history as its all-time leading male scorer.
