Neymar Jr. surpassed football legend Pele to become the top goal scorer for Brazil. The footballer achieved the feat against Bolivia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match. Neymar now has 78 goals for Brazil to his name.
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Several X users celebrated Neymar’s achievement. One user wrote, “Excited with Neymar’s level. Where he plays is what matters the least. Picasso is Picasso, paint on a napkin or canvas. Dream of the Ballon d’Or frustrated, but there will always be the greatest artist I ever saw on a football field.”
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Neymar smashed Brazil’s all-time goal-scoring record with a second-half strike in his team’s 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old was out of the game for six months after joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, but he was fit enough to play and made an immediate impression. Neymar broke the record in the 61st minute, putting the ball home from close range to put Brazil up 3-0.
He rejoiced loudly with his teammates and fans at Belém’s Estadio Olimpico do Para. Neymar’s goal brought his total for Brazil to 78, breaking Pelé’s previous mark of 77.
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Neymar experienced a forgettable first 45 minutes of his comeback, but he eventually earned his fantasy finish. With only 15 minutes gone, Neymar was awarded a penalty after a Bolivian defender touched Rodrygo’s cross. The Brazilian took the penalty kick, but his usual stumbling run-up let him down, and the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
The audience fell silent, but Neymar came back to score two goals and break Pelé’s all-time Brazilian goalscoring record. The miss was a slight hiccup in Neymar’s otherwise brilliant performance, as he showed no symptoms of rustiness after a six-month gap.
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He was a constant danger to the Bolivian defense, and his two second-half goals clinched Brazil’s 5-1 victory. Brazil now leads the South American World Cup qualifying standings, and Neymar will be hoping to keep up his strong run in the coming months.