Neymar Joins Elite Club With Latest International Goal, Leaving Pele Behind

In a historic feat, Brazilian football sensation Neymar has etched his name in the annals of international football, surpassing the legendary Pele’s goal-scoring record. Pele, revered as the “King of Football,” had previously scored 77 goals in 91 matches for the Brazilian national team. Neymar, in a remarkable journey spanning 124 international appearances, has now overtaken this milestone, becoming Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer.

This momentous achievement came during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the South American region, where Neymar netted two crucial goals against Bolivia. Remarkably, Neymar was tied with Pele at 77 goals before this match, making the occasion even more significant. Among Brazil’s top goal scorers, Neymar stands alone at the pinnacle, followed by the iconic Ronaldo Nazario, who scored 62 goals in 98 matches. Romario occupies the fourth spot with 55 goals, while Ceco rounds out the top five with 48 goals.

During the historic match, Neymar, who had recently recovered from an injury, featured in Brazil’s starting lineup. Although he missed a penalty opportunity in the 17th minute, he went on to score two crucial goals later in the game. Neymar, who currently plies his trade with Saudi club Al Hilal, was temporarily sidelined due to injury but is expected to make a triumphant return after the conclusion of the qualifying rounds.

In the thrilling World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, Brazil emerged victorious with a resounding 5-2 scoreline, further solidifying their campaign. Apart from Neymar’s heroics, Rodrigo contributed with a brace, and Rafinha also found the back of the net for Brazil. In a separate match, Uruguay triumphed over Chile with a score of 3-1, with Nicolas de la Cruz netting twice and Federico Valverde adding another for Uruguay.Neymar’s record-breaking achievement not only adds to his storied career but also cements his legacy as one of Brazil’s footballing greats, following in the footsteps of legends like Pele and Ronaldo.