Neymar equaled Brazilian legend Pele’s “official” goal record of 77 for the men’s national team with his goal against Croatia at the World Cup.
World governing body Fifa recognizes the record but the Brazilian Football Confederation and Pele won’t as they say he has scored 95 goals.
Fifa only counts matches between two nations and some of Pele’s goals have come in friendlies against club teams.
Neymar made 124 Brazil appearances, equaling Pelé’s tally in 92 games.
Pelé – who won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – is currently receive treatment in hospital in Sao Paulo.
Neymar’s tally isn’t a Brazilian record as Marta has scored 115 goals for the women’s team since 2002.
The 30-year-old made his debut on August 10, 2010, scoring his first international goal in the 28th minute of a 2-0 win over the United States.
Eight of his goals have come in the World Cup – four in 2014, two in 2018 and two so far in this tournament in Qatar – and another five in the Copa America.
He won the Confederations Cup in 2013, but his best World Cup run came when Brazil reached the semi-finals in 2014, while his best Copa America campaign ended with a second-place finish in 2021. .
More soon.
