No, Neymar does not only stand out for his punchlines/media sausages this week. After affirming that he and Lionel Messi had “experienced hell” at PSG, and that it was “possible that the Saudi championship is better than Ligue 1”, the Brazilian star made history on Friday by returning to the Seleçao . The record for goals in the Auriverde jersey fell during an easy success against Bolivia (5-1) in Bélem (Brazil). Almost nine months after equaling Pelé’s historic record (77 goals) during the World Cup in Qatar, the former Parisian striker, finally back from injury, surpassed it thanks to a double on Friday, in the qualifiers for the World 2026.
First there was a missed penalty (17th), before the release. In the 61st minute of play, the 31-year-old surpassed “King Pelé” by scoring his 78th goal, then his 79th (5-1, 90th+3) in 125 appearances with Brazil. “I’m very happy, I don’t have the words,” said the person concerned after this double for history. I never imagined reaching this record. From this moment on, I want to say that having done it does not mean that I am better than Pelé or any other player in the selection. »
“Imagine beating someone like Pelé…”
Would Neymar have become modest? “I always want to write my name in the history of Brazilian football and the Brazilian selection, and today that’s what I did,” continued the recent Al-Hilal recruit. Striker Marta, however, retains the record for both selections combined, with her 122 goals in 189 caps. Died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82, Pelé claimed 95 goals in 113 matches with the selection. But this figure, which includes his goals during friendlies between the Seleçao and clubs or official teams from Brazilian states, is not recognized by Fifa, unlike the Brazilian Football Federation.
The average of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, alias Pelé, the only footballer to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), nevertheless remains higher than that of his successor, with 0.84 goals per match (77 in 92 caps). ), against 0.63 for Neymar. “Pelé is unanimously the king of football. So imagine beating someone like him…, confided the number 10 of the Seleçao at a press conference on Thursday. It will be a unique brand and this goal will be dedicated to everyone who helped me. » Starting with his teammates during these six years “in hell” at PSG?