Neymar Jr. breaks Pele record: Neymar Jr. scripted history during Brazil’s first match in South America World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Bolivia at the Estádio Olímpico do Pará on Friday (Saturday IST). The 31-year-old scored twice as Brazil attained an emphatic 5-1 win over Bolivia in South America World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
With this, the former Paris Saint-Germain footballer, who now plays for Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, broke legendary footballer Pele's record of 77 goals for Brazil in international football. Neymar Jr. surpassed Pele to become the all-time leading goal-scorer in international football for five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil.
Brazil's legendary footballer Pele, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, passed away from cancer at the age of 82 in December last year. He scored 77 goals for his national team in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971.
Neymar Jr. broke Pele's long-standing record in his 125th match for Brazil, scoring his 78th goal during South America World Cup qualifiers. Last year, Neymar Jr. had equalled Pele's record of 77 goals during Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal match against Croatia.
"I am very happy, no words for this," Neymar said in brief comments to media, as reported by news agency AP. "I never thought I would reach this record."
"I want to say that this (the record) doesn’t mean I am better than him (Pelé) or than any national team player," Neymar reportedly added in his short statement. "I always wanted to write my story in the national team, and today I did that."
"Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian National Team in official FIFA matches," Pelé's Foundation said on social media. "Surely Pelé is applauding you today!"