Neymar Júnior, who scored a brace in the Brazilian football team’s 5-1 victory this Friday, about Bolivia and overtaking Pelé as the Canarinha’s top scorer, he explained that this record made him no better than the late idol.
“I am very happy. I never thought I would beat this record. But I don’t want to say that I’m better than Pelé just because I beat him at this record.”said the striker after the victory in the Amazon city of Belém on the first day of qualifying.
The scorer received a plaque from the president of the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, as the Canarinha’s top scorer in “international” matches. Together with Pelé and in the FIFA tally, Neymar scored 77 goals and scored twice. This Friday, in the Amazon city of Belém, the former Barcelona player surpassed the eternal idol.
However, Pele scored 95 goals for the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), which counts some friendly matches against clubs that are not taken into account by FIFA, while Neymar scored 79.
Neymar was there for two when he got a face à la Bolivia that evening. 🤯💫
(🎥 @lequipe) pic.twitter.com/u70XefgMp3
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) September 9, 2023
“I just want to write my name in the history of the Brazilian team and thank my family, who are far away, and my teammates.”“said Neymar when he received the plaque.
The 4-0, which was his first goal of the night and cemented Neymar’s record, came in the 60th minute when the former French PSG striker found Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra after a pass from Rodrygo.
Behind Neymar (79 goals) and Pelé (77) follow Ronaldo Nazário (62), Romário (55), Zico (48), Bebeto (39), Rivaldo (35), Jairzinho and Ronaldinho Gaúcho (33) as well as Ademir and Tostão ( 32), all retired and according to FIFA statistics