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FIFA pays tribute to Neymar after he scored his 78th and 79th Brazil goals against Peru to break Pele’s record.
In the annals of Brazilian football, legends like Careca, Romario, and Ronaldo were expected to claim the throne. However, Pele’s remarkable tally of 77 goals proved elusive to even these supernatural strikers.
Last night in Belem, history was rewritten. Neymar, often hailed more for his creative flair than goal-scoring prowess, defied critics who deemed him too delicate for the rigors of international football. Parabéns, Neymar!
At 31, Neymar not only equaled Pele’s feat in Brazil’s ill-fated Qatar 2022 quarter-final against Croatia but also surpassed it by netting twice as the Seleção dominated Bolivia in a stellar kickoff to FIFA World Cup 26™.
A 61-year record
A 61-Year Record: For six decades, Pele held the crown as Brazil’s leading international marksman, eclipsing Ademir de Menezes’ 32-goal record set in 1962.
🥇 Brazil’s Record Scorers:
- Neymar (79 goals)
- Pele (77)
- Ronaldo (62)
- Romario (56)
- Zico (48)
Neymar’s Youthful Brilliance:
At just 22, Neymar demonstrated his prodigious talent, netting an astounding four times against Japan.
Global Influence: Named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2017, Neymar joined an elite group of sports icons, alongside Simone Biles, Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Conor McGregor. His profile, penned by David Beckham, attests to his far-reaching impact.
Century Club Elite: In a rare distinction, Neymar stands alongside Romario and Ronaldo as one of only three players to notch 100 goals for three top-division clubs. Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain bear witness to his exceptional scoring ability.
Financial Pinnacle: Neymar secured the fourth spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi.
Top World Cup Scorers for Brazil:
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- Ronaldo – 15 goals in 19 games
- Pele – 12 goals in 14 games
- Ademir de Menezes – 9 goals in 6 games
- Jairzinho – 9 goals in 16 games
- Vava – 9 goals in 10 games
- Leonidas da Silva – 8 goals in 4 games
- Neymar – 8 goals in 13 games
- Rivaldo – 8 goals in 14 games
- Careca – 7 goals in 9 games
These prolific marksmen have left an indelible mark in Brazil’s World Cup history.
🇧🇷⚽️ #BrazilFootball #WorldCupLegends