It’s just a matter of time before Paris Saint Germain (PSG) attacker Neymar breaks the record for the most goals scored for the Selecao of Brazil. The former Barcelona and Santos forward moved closer to the record of 77 goals currently held by Pele after he scored the only goal of the game during the 1-0 win over hosts Japan in an international friendly encounter played in Tokyo with the two teams preparing for this year’s edition of the World Cup. The two countries see the friendly match as part of preparations for the World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Neymar and his Brazilian teammates were largely frustrated by opposition goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda for the majority of the game before he was breached by the PSG star with 13 minutes left to play. Neymar stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot kick into the back of the net after substitute Richarlison was brought down. With the slim win over Japan, Brazil have now won 11 of their last 13 games on the international football stage.
With his goal against Japan, Neymar has now scored 74 goals in 119 games for five-time world champions Brazil thus moving him closer to Pele at the top of the list of players with the most goals for the Selecao. Neymar needs four more goals to become the player with the most goals for the Brazilian national team.
Neymar began the latest international break with 71 goals and six goals adrift of Pele who won three World Cup titles during his hugely successful playing career. He moved within five goals of Pele after scoring two penalties during the 5-1 win over hosts South Korea in an international friendly. The penalty against Japan then brought him closer to the record. The South Korea and Japan friendlies were played this month.