With his goal against Croatia at the World Cup, Neymar Equals Pele Brazil Goal Record 77-goal ‘official’ record for the men’s national team of Brazil.
The Brazilian Football Confederation and Pele would not accept the record since they claim he scored 95 goals, despite the fact that the world governing organization Fifa does.
Some of Pele’s goals came in friendlies against club teams, which Fifa only considers as international competition. Neymar has appeared in 124 Brazil games, matching Pele’s total from 92 matches. Pele, who helped Brazil win three World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970, is presently undergoing medical care in a Sao Paulo hospital.
Neymar’s total does not break the all-time Brazilian scoring record; Marta has had 115 goals for the women’s team since 2002.
Brazil men’s top goalscorers List
| Brazil men’s top goalscorers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Games | Goals |
| Pele | 92 | 77 |
| Neymar | 124 | 77 |
| Ronaldo | 99 | 62 |
| Romario | 71 | 55 |
| Zico | 71 | |
At the conclusion of the first extra period of Brazil’s quarterfinal match against Croatia, he teamed with Lucas Paqueta of West Ham, avoided Borna Sosa, and blasted from four yards into the top of the net to tie the record.
However, although Bruno Petkovic tied the score with Croatia’s first attempt on goal in the 116th minute, his team lost 4-2 on penalties, with Neymar still having to take one.
The 30-year-old made his international debut on August 10, 2010, and scored his first goal in a 2-0 victory over the USA in the 28th minute.
Eight of his goals—four in 2014, two in 2018, and two thus far in this World Cup in Qatar—have occurred in World Cups, while five more have come in Copa America.
His best World Cup run came in 2014 when Brazil reached the semi-finals, while his best Copa America campaign finished with a runner-up finish in 2021. He won the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said the following on BBC One: “One of the best players in the world shows up at last.
“What a noble objective. He just has one goal in mind: to travel into Croatia’s interior.
When it mattered, he delivered. “The balance, the composure, the brilliance – it has not been there all night.”
Jurgen Klingsmann, a former Germany coach, described him as a “difference maker,” and Alex Scott claimed Neymar “created a moment of magic.”
