‘I have no words’: Neymar breaks Pele’s Brazil goal-scoring record

Neymar

Brazil star Neymar could hardly believe his achievement after surpassing Pelé to become his country's top men's scorer.

The Seleção beat Bolivia 5-1 in their opening qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico on Friday in Belém.

Neymar, 31, netted in the 61st minute and in injury time, having earlier missed a penalty, to move on to 79 goals for Brazil.

The forward, who recently joined Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain, celebrated his goals with a leap and a punch in the air just like Pelé - who died late last year.

"I am very happy, I have no words for it," Neymar said. "I never thought I would achieve this record." Pelé scored 95 goals for Brazil, but that includes goals in friendlies against club teams. World governing body FIFA only counts goals against national sides, putting him on 77.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo tops the men's international top scorer list with 123. Canada's Christine Sinclair holds the overall record with 190 goals.

Five-time world champions Brazil face Peru in their second qualifying match in Lima on Tuesday.