Neymar Lost For Words After Breaking Pele Record As Brazil Boss Hails New Outright Top Scorer As "Great Hero"

Neymar was overjoyed after overtaking Pele as the leading scorer for the Brazil men's national team. Neymar said: "I am very happy, no words for this."

Neymar was overjoyed after overtaking Pele as the leading scorer for the Brazil men's national team on Friday night.

Two strikes in a 5-1 win over Bolivia saw Neymar move onto 79 goals for Brazil, having started the game level with Pele on 77.

Neymar was presented with a plaque from Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, after the match.

Upon receiving the award, Neymar told reporters: "I am very happy, no words for this. I never thought I would reach this record."

Neymar has overtaken Pele to become the outright top scorer for the Brazil men's national team :: IMAGO/Fotoarena/Filipe Bispo

The Brazilian Football Confederation still considers Pele as the all-time leading scorer as it counts 18 goals the Santos legend scored in exhibition games for Brazil against club teams.

Indeed, Rodrigues was very deliberate with his wording when he congratulated Neymar on becoming "the all-time top goalscorer for Brazil in matches against national teams".

Pele's Foundation added in a social media post: "Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian National Team in official FIFA matches.

"Surely Pele is applauding you today!"

Para sempre, Meninos da Vila! Parabéns, @neymarjr, por superar o Rei em gols pela Seleção Brasileira em jogos oficiais da FIFA. Com certeza Pelé está te aplaudindo hoje!
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Meninos da Vila, forever! Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian… pic.twitter.com/iqU3vQ2EGj

— Pelé (@Pele) September 9, 2023

Pele died in December at the age of 82.

Neymar published a short statement on Friday night. It read: "I want to say that this [record] doesn't mean I am better than him [Pele] or than any national team player.

"I always wanted to write my story in the national team, and today I did that."

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who also scored two goals in Brazil's thrashing of Bolivia, was full of praise for his teammate.

Speaking to TV Globo, he said: "It really is a very special day. Neymar is my idol, being able to help him become the top scorer will stay with me forever."

Meanwhile, Brazil manager Fernando Diniz called Neymar "a great hero", before adding: "People have to recognize it and accept it.

"He doesn't do anything to get this adoration he gets from the crowd. It is because of the natural talent he has."

Neymar has scored 79 goals in 125 matches for Brazil :: IMAGO/Xinhua/Lucio Tavora