Pele wants Neymar to Overtake his Brazilian Goal Record

The PSG star netted against Peru on Thursday and he’s just nine goals behind the Legendary Pele.

Neymar took his tally of international goals for Brazil to 68 by scoring against Peru in the Copa America yesterday.

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That goal sets him on a race to overtake Pele, which the Legendary Brazilian player can wait for. Pele holds the record for most goals scored for Brazil with a total of 77 goals, but he wants the “always smiling” Neymar to overtake him.

After scoring in a 4-0 win against Peru yesterday, Neymar was in tears explaining how it has been a difficult few years for his nation and that he just wants to make them proud.

The Legendary Pele couldn’t help but comment that it was “impossible not to smile back” when watching Neymar express himself on the pitch.

“It’s moving for me [to get closer to Pele’s record], I’ve been through a lot these last two years,” Neymar said.

“These [goal] numbers are nothing more than my joy of playing for Brazil, representing my country, my family. We’re all going through a very a typical moment, a very hard moment in Brazil and elsewhere.

“To be a role model for someone, to make people happy, it gives me joy. I love the story that I’m writing here, I want my family and friends to be proud. I hope everyone who loves this game are proud of me, because these numbers don’t really mean anything, only the pride of representing Brazil.” He concluded.

Pele, who is considered one of the greatest players ever responded;

“Every time I see this boy, he is smiling,” wrote Pele on Instagram. “It’s impossible not to smile back. It is contagious.

“I, like all Brazilians, am always happy when I see him playing. Today, he took another step towards my goalscoring record for the Selecao. And I’m rooting for him to get there, with the same joy I’ve had since I saw him play for the first time.”

Neymar needs just 10 more goals to overtake Pele and he looks to be in strong position to do so. At 29, Neymar has 68 goals in 107 appearances for Brazil.