NEYMAR overtook Pele’s 52-year record to become Brazil’s all-time male leading goal-scorer last night.
The 31-year-old scored a second-half double as his side routed Bolivia 5-1.
His first effort was a landmark one, taking him ahead of the late Brazilian icon Pele’s tally of 77.
After sweeping the ball into the back of the net to put his side 4-0 up, an ecstatic Neymar leapt for joy before being mobbed by his team-mates.
He then poignantly pointed at the sky in tribute to Pele, who died aged 82 last December.
Having added a second later on in the match, Neymar spoke of his pride at achieving the record after the game.
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He said: “I’m very happy, lost for words.
“I never imagined reaching this record and right now I want to say that passing Pele does not mean that I am better than him, or any player in the national team.”
He then added: “I always wanted to write my name in the history of Brazilian football and the Brazilian team.
“Today I did that. To my family and all my friends who are here, I am very grateful.”
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His manager Fernando Diniz added: “He came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals and break the record.”
Pele was the previous men’s record holder with 77 goals, while Marta scored 122 times in 189 caps prior to her international retirement in July.
Neymar will have a chance to further extend his record on Tuesday night, when Brazil face Peru in Lima.
He will then return to Saudi Arabia, having left Paris Saint-Germain for Al-Hilal earlier this summer.
The former Barcelona star is yet to debut in the Saudi Pro League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
