Brazilian legend Pele scored 77 international goals for Brazil, according to the official statistics of FIFA. Pele did so in 92 matches. While current Brazilian star Neymar has already scored 68 goals for the national team, having made 107 appearances.
Brazil is currently competing in the Copa America 2021, and they cruised to a 4-0 victory against Peru in their last match. Neymar scored his 68th goal against Peru, and he is now just 9 goals away from equalling Pele’s record.
Pele himself backs Neymar to break his international goals record for Brazil. He posted on Instagram: “Every time I see this boy, he is smiling. It’s impossible not to smile back. It is contagious. I, like all Brazilians, am always happy when I see him playing soccer. Today, he took another step towards my goalscoring record for the Seleção. And I’m rooting for him to get there, with the same joy I’ve had since I saw him play for the first time.”
Speaking after the game, Neymar said: “It is obvious for me that this is a great honor, to be a part of Brazil history. To be very honest, my dream was to play for Brazil, wear this shirt. I never imagined I would get to these numbers.
“It is very emotional to me because I went through a lot of things over these last two years, difficult and complicated things. These numbers are nothing compared to the happiness I have playing for Brazil.”
Brazil coach Tite also admitted that the 29-year-old is extraordinary. Tite said last weekend: “He has a really personal thing, he developed his skills to give assists, his right foot, his left foot. He became unpredictable,”
“We structured our team so he can … (be) more efficient to create. That’s where the adversaries fear pressing him harder, they could give a foul in an important place.”
