Neymar has eclipsed Pele as the top goal scorer for Brazil’s national team after overtaking the three-time World Cup winner’s career total of 77 against national teams with a goal in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia.
The 61st-minute strike was Brazil’s fourth goal of the match in a 5-1 win in the Amazon city of Belem, with the last goal of the game also being scored by Neymar – his 79th – during injury time.
The 31-year-old’s record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pele usually did.
“I am very happy, no words for this,” Neymar said in brief comments to the media after he was handed a plaque by the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues. “I never thought I would reach this record.”
Earlier, the striker who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Billy Viscarra saved.
Neymar’s second goal in the match came in a similar fashion near the final whistle, with another low cross by Raphinha.
Source: Aljazeera