On September 9, the Brazilian team won a crushing victory over the Bolivian team. The match was played as part of the qualification for the 2026 World Cup and ended with a score of 5-1.
This result would not have happened if the Seleção’s main star, Neymar, had missed this match. The Al-Hilal player failed to convert the penalty in the 17th minute of the match, but then scored a double: he scored in the 61st minute and 90+3, bringing the score to a devastating result. And this match, this victory, these goals became special for the Brazilian star.
He surpassed the country’s main legend, Pelé, in the number of goals with the Brazilian team. Before this match, they had the same number of goals scored: 77 each. But this double took Neymar to clear first place. By the way, the statistics are kept by the main football organization, FIFA. It would seem that there is nothing to discuss here. But Brazil has its own arithmetic.
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The cult of Pele still dominates the country. And no one will ever be able to beat all of his “eternal” records. Therefore, the Brazilian Football Confederation is not at all opposed to attributing extra goals.
Neymar changed his dream and Barça for the sheikhs’ money. The Brazilian is still a star, but he will not become a legend
After Neymar’s new record, no one congratulated him for anything on the team’s official social networks. But the fans, on the contrary, continue to mock the forward. They simply cannot accept the fact that anyone can beat any of Pelé’s records.
“He is far from being a legend, Pelé was and remains a legend. Neymar needs to respect everyone around him more so that they also respect him. Money doesn’t buy respect. “Neymar is young and still has a lot to learn from Pelé,” said one fan.
Neymar’s social network
The Brazilian Football Confederation also follows the fans’ example. He claims that Pelé has 95 goals to his name. And Neymar still has 16 goals scored before this record. In Brazil they believe that this record could include and record those goals scored in exhibition matches against amateur clubs. That is, any way of rewriting history will do. If only the record belonged to Pelé, if only the fans were happy.
But the most absurd thing is that even the official account of the “King of Soccer” congratulated Neymar for his great achievement.
“Congratulations to Neymar for breaking the King’s record of goals for Brazil in official FIFA matches. I’m sure Pelé will applaud you today!” – says the entry.
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Neymar himself showed modesty and prudence in this case. He did not throw phrases out loud and proclaimed himself the greatest.
“I am very happy. I never thought I would break this record. But I don’t want to say that I am better than Pelé just because I surpassed him in this aspect,” said the striker.
The fans cannot forgive him for having a team without the world title, for going for money, first to France and then to Saudi Arabia. These actions cast a shadow over Neymar’s authority, thus strengthening Pelé’s greatness in the eyes of the Brazilian people.
What will they say when Neymar surpasses even his unofficial numbers and goals scored in exhibition matches against amateur teams? Will this help Brazilians recognize Neymar’s greatness? He has already proven everything to himself and he especially needs recognition.