Striker Neymar scored twice in Brazil’s 5-1 victory over Bolivia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, officially surpassing Pele’s record of 77 goals.
Neymar became the player who scored the most goals for the Brazilian national team after surpassing the career total of the late legendary Pele, who won the World Cup three times.
The goal that put 31-year-old Neymar at the top of Brazil’s scoring record with 78 goals came in the 61st minute in the World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia in the city of Belem.
It was Brazil’s fourth goal in a 5-1 win, with the final goal of the match also scored by Neymar – his 79th – in stoppage time.
Neymar’s record-breaking goal came after a low cross in the penalty area, the striker finished accurately from close range. He celebrated by punching the air like the soccer King Pele often did. Previously, the Al Hilal striker missed a penalty kick in the 17th minute, which was saved by goalkeeper Billy Viscarra.
“I am very happy, there are no words to describe this” – Neymar said in a brief exchange with the media after he was awarded a plaque by Brazilian Football Federation President Ednaldo Rodrigues. – “I never thought I would achieve this record.”
The Brazilian Football Federation confirmed that Pele is the player with the most goals with 95 goals in 114 matches. However, FIFA does not count the goals Pele scored in friendly matches between the national team and clubs.
The Brazilian Football Federation wrote on social networks after the record goal N10: “Neymar has scored his 78th goal.” And after the striker’s second goal against Bolivia, they wrote: “Neymar scores fifth goal for Selecao.”
President of the Brazilian Football Federation, Mr. Rodrigues recalled that Neymar became “the player who scored the most goals of all time for Brazil in matches with the national team”.
Pele’s Foundation acknowledged Neymar’s achievement: “Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in number of goals for the Brazilian national team in official FIFA matches. Surely Pele is welcoming you today!”.
“I want to say that this (record) does not mean that I am better than him (Pele) or any national team player” – Neymar added modestly – “I always wanted to write my story in the national team shirt and today I did it.”
Neymar’s most recent appearance for Brazil before the victory over Bolivia was the loss to Croatia in the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play his first three matches for the Selecao this year.
New Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said: “Neymar plays for Brazil to score goals and break records, proving that he is willing to live here (national team). Neymar is a great striker. Everyone must realize and accept that. He gained love from the audience thanks to his innate talent.”
