Neymar has eclipsed Pele as the top goal scorer for Brazil\u2019s national team after overtaking the three-time World Cup winner\u2019s career total of 77 against national teams with a goal in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia. The 61st-minute strike was Brazil\u2019s fourth goal of the match in a 5-1 win in the Amazon city of Belem, with the last goal of the game also being scored by Neymar \u2013 his 79th \u2013 during injury time. The 31-year-old\u2019s record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pele usually did. \u201cI am very happy, no words for this,\u201d Neymar said in brief comments to the media after he was handed a plaque by the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues. \u201cI never thought I would reach this record.\u201d Earlier, the striker \u2013 who plays for Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al Hilal \u2013 missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Billy Viscarra saved. Neymar\u2019s second goal in the match came in a similar fashion near the final whistle, with another low cross by Raphinha. Brazil\u2019s football confederation considers Pele as its top goal scorer with 95 goals in 114 matches. FIFA does not count goals that Pele scored at national team friendlies against clubs. \u201c78 times Neymar,\u201d the Brazilian football body said on social media after Neymar\u2019s record-breaking goal. Rodrigues reiterated Neymar had become \u201cthe all-time top goal-scorer for Brazil in matches against national teams\u201d. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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