Neymar overtook Pele as Brazil’s top scorer as the 31-year-old scored a brace in a 5-1 win over Bolivia. He also came up with a little tribute for “O Rei” in the process.
At first, the game was not under a good star for Neymar. Many were critical of his return to the Selecao and would have preferred a hard cut after the quarter-final exit at the World Cup – without the controversial attacker, who now plays in Saudi Arabia. When Neymar missed a penalty against Bolivia in the 17th minute so miserably that keeper Viscarra even managed to keep hold of the ball, his performance at the Mangueirao Stadium in Belem threatened to be a flop.
Just seven minutes later, however, Rodrygo got Brazil on track, and so, apparently, did Neymar. He set up Raphinha’s 2-0 shortly after the break before striking himself in the 61st minute. In stoppage time, after Abrego had made it 1:4, he even went one better, scoring his international goals in 78 and 79.
Neymar mimics Pelé’s cheer
This means he now has two more goals to his name than Pelé, who died in December 2022. When he scored, he commemorated the three-time world champion by jumping up and lunging into the air for a fist bump. A cheer for which Pelé was famous.
“I’m very happy, I have no words for it,” Neymar said. “I never thought I would achieve this record. But I want to make it clear: I am not better than Pele.” He said it had always been his dream “to write my own story, to immortalise my name in the history of Brazilian football and the national team. That’s what I did today.”
Interim national coach Fernando Diniz, who occupies the post until Carlo Ancelotti takes over next year and made his debut against Bolivia, expressed confidence in his star after the match. “It’s hard to find a player equal to him. He is an exceptional talent,” the 49-year-old said.
Five-time world champions Brazil face the Peruvian national team in their second qualifier in Lima next Tuesday.
