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| Neymar celebrates goal against Bolivia |
Be it for club or for his country, Neymar always rises to the occasion and cements his place as one of the best foot all players currently.
The 24-year old was in action for Brazil against Bolivia in their World Cup Qualifiers and he played a huge role in his team’s 5-0 win against the visitors as he contributed one goal and two assists.
Neymar grabbed Brazil’s opening goal of the game after doing well to create space for himself before playing a neat one-two with striker Gabriel Jesús that put him in a position where he only needed to slot into an empty net and the Brazilian Number 10 did exactly just that, giving his team a 1-0 lead after 11 minutes. Neymar went on to set up two more for Filipe Luis and Gabriel Jesús goals but it was his strike that was the most significant.
The goal from Neymar meant he went one goal clear off Brazilian legend Zico into fourth position in the list of players with the all-time most number of goals for the Brazilian national football team.
Zico was a Brazilian legend who played 10 years for the national team, he netted 48 goals for the side in his career, achieving that in 71 games and as a 33-year old. Neymar surpassed that number at just 24 and he did it in 73 games. His 49 strikes see him move to fourth spot still behind Romario who scored 55, Ronaldo who found the net 62 times and Pele who scored 77 times.
Given the fact that Neymar is still just 24, one can say he might still play for ten years hence breaking Pelé’s record is feasible as he needs 29 goals.
The goals was also Neymar’s 300th career strike as a footballer, and he’s just 24, that’s scary!
Most goals for the Brazilian National Football Team
1. Pelé – 77 goals in 91 games over 14 years
2. Ronaldo Nazario – 62 goals in 98 games over 17 years
3. Romário – 55 goals in 70games over 18 years
4. NEYMAR – 49 GOALS IN 73 GAMES OVER 6 YEARS
5. Zico – 48 goals in 71 games over 10 years
