Neymar Breaks Record of Pelé as Brazil's All-Time Top Scorer

In a sensational display, Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. led his national team to a convincing 5-1 victory over Bolivia in the opening match of their 2026 World Cup South American qualifiers. Neymar's performance saw him break the long-standing record set by the late legend Pelé, becoming Brazil's all-time leading scorer. With two goals in the match, Neymar's tally now stands at 79 international goals.

Expressing his joy, Neymar stated, "Breaking the record doesn’t mean I’m better than Pelé or any other player in the Brazilian team's history." The humility echoed the respect the forward has for the greats who paved the way before him.

In a surprising turn of events last month, Neymar made headlines by joining Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, on a two-year deal valued at €160 million ($175 million). In addition, Paris Saint-Germain, his former club, received a transfer fee of €90 million, exclusive of bonuses. This contract secures Neymar's position with Al Hilal until the summer of 2025.

Al Hilal, a leading force in Saudi Arabian football, introduced Neymar to thousands of fans in the nation's capital, Riyadh. The grand unveiling was marked by a lavish display of fireworks and drone performances, reminiscent of presentations for international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema when they joined Al Nassr and Al Ittihad respectively.

However, Neymar's debut for Al Hilal has been temporarily postponed. According to the club's Portuguese manager, Jorge Jesus, Neymar sustained a "minor injury," which led to speculations about his participation in Brazil's international fixtures.