2023-09-09 12:51:47
Neymar, who scored a double this Friday in the victory of the Brazilian soccer team, 5-1, over Bolivia and surpassed Pelé as the Canarinha’s top scorer, he stated that because of that record he is no better than the late idol.
“I’m very happy. I never imagined I would break that record. But I don’t want to say that I’m better than Pelé just because I surpassed him in this record,” declared the striker after the victory in the Amazonian city of Belém on the first day of the qualifiers.
The scorer received a plaque from the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, as the Canarinha’s top scorer in ‘inter-national’ matches.
Along with Pelé and in FIFA accounts, Neymar had 77 goals and with the two goals this Friday in the Amazonian city of Belém, the former Barcelona player surpassed the eternal idol.
However, for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which counts some friendly matches against clubs and which are not considered by FIFA, Pelé has 95 goals compared to Neymar’s now 79.
“I just want to write my name in the history of the Brazilian team and thank my family, who is far away, and my teammates,” said Neymar upon receiving the commemorative plaque.
The Saudi Al-Hilal striker lost his first opportunity to become the Brazilian team’s top scorer when he missed a penalty in the 16th minute, after a handball in the area by Adrián Jusino after an arrival from Rodrygo.
The 4-0, which was his first of the night and established Neymar’s record, came in the sixty minutes when the former French PSG striker scored on the Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra after a pass from Rodrygo.
In the 79th minute, Neymar hit the crossbar with a shot and in the 92nd minute, already in stoppage time, he retaliated with the second of his own and the fifth for Brazil after a cross shot by Raphinha, Barcelona forward.
The other Canarinha goals were scored by Rodrygo, also with a double, and Raphinha. Víctor Ábrego marked the Bolivian discount,
Behind Neymar (79 goals) and Pelé (77), there are Ronaldo Nazário (62), Romário (55), Zico (48), Bebeto (39), Rivaldo (35), Jairzinho and Ronaldinho Gaúcho (33) and Ademir and Penny (32), all removed according to FIFA statistics
On the second day of the South American qualifying round, on Tuesday, Brazil will visit Peru in Lima, which tied in Ciudad del Este (0-0) against local Paraguay, and Bolivia will host Argentina in La Paz, which won in Buenos Aires. Aires (1-0) over Ecuador.
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