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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>All-time great has seen record matched</li><li>Star of the present about to raise the bar</li><li>Back in Selecao squad after World Cup pain</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

One more to overtake Pele! Neymar discusses hitting goal 78 for Brazil & claiming record of three-time World Cup winner

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As things stand, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-experienced-hell-lionel-messi-psg-failing-make-history-france/blt4f8f102bcb47e63b" target="_blank">the Al-Hilal</a> forward <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/neymar-desperate-to-break-pele-goal-record-for-brazil/bltdddce4a8545ead57" target="_blank">sits level with his legendary compatriot on 77 efforts</a> for his country. It would appear to be only a matter of time before Neymar registers goal number 78 and moves clear of three-time World Cup winner Pele.

WHAT HAPPENED?

That historic strike could be recorded in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, while Brazil also have a meeting with Peru to take in next Tuesday. Neymar has said of potentially re-writing the record books: "It is hard to know what that record means, but it does mean a lot. No-one ever thought about overcoming that. It is something I will respond after it is done."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Neymar’s last outing for Brazil came in their 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia, with the 31-year-old hinting after that penalty shootout setback that he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/will-neymar-2026-world-cup-brazil-retirement-lionel-messi-inspired/blt60f0067127648290" target="_blank">could bow out with 124 caps to his name</a>. He has said of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/jorge-jesus-neymar-injured-brazil-call-up/bltf445fb0161abacf0" target="_blank">carrying on with the Selecao</a>: "After a lot of pressure from family and friends [to return to the national team] you start giving value to everything you did. When you are with your people, your family, they put you in your place and make you see it is worth to continue being happy by wearing Brazil's shirt."

WHAT THEY SAID

Neymar made his debut for Brazil back in 2010. The CBF is reluctant to celebrate him reaching 78 goals too much, as their records – which differ slightly to the official ones – claim to have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/pele-neymar-ronaldo-who-is-brazils-leading-all-time-top-goalscorers/blt75e4aa20fd6a2bed" target="_blank">Pele sat on 95 efforts for the South American nation</a> when all of his international appearances are taken into account.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

One more to overtake Pele! Neymar discusses hitting goal 78 for Brazil & claiming record of three-time World Cup winner | Goal.com

Neymar has been discussing what it will mean to him to become Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with one more goal required to overtake Pele.

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