Updated: 11 Jun 2026 17:25 BST |
4 min read
Neymar is Brazil’s top scorer of all time and the Santos forward could extend his record at the 2026 World Cup.
After equalling Pele’s record of 77 goals in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final exit against Croatia, Neymar scored twice in September 2023 against Bolivia to take his tally to 79.
The legendary forward has not scored since for Brazil but he has been a regular for his country since 2011 and, although he hasn’t had the fortune of winning a major tournament with them yet, he has achieved great personal success.
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Neymar leads Brazil scorers
Neymar is the only player in the list of Brazil’s top 10 goalscorers who is active at the minute – the next-highest on the list is Richarlison, who has scored 20 times.
Behind Neymar in the list of top scorers is the legendary Pele, who netted 77 goals in 92 games as well as winning a historic three World Cups during his career.
Ronaldo is third after scoring 62 times for the Selecao in his career, winning the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, where he scored eight goals in that tournament. He is Brazil’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 15.
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Romario’s record of 56 follows that and he added to that with the World Cup in 1994, where he had an important role to play in the process.
Zico is one of the game’s greatest players to have never lifted the World Cup and his 48 goals puts him on fifth in the list, ahead of the great Bebeto, who is on 39.
Rivaldo had a long career and his 35 goals, including a few in the World Cup-winning run of 2002, spurs him on to seventh in the list.
Jairzinho and Ronaldinho, World Cup winners 32 years apart in 1970 and 2002 respectively, are level in eighth with 33 goals each, one ahead of Ademir, who sits on 32, level with the great Tostao.
Neymar will have a chance to break Pele’s record as early as the group stage and he will fancy his chances against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Qatar.
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| 1. Neymar | 79 |
| 2. Pele | 77 |
| 3. Ronaldo | 62 |
| 4. Romario | 56 |
| 5. Zico | 48 |
| 5. Bebeto | 39 |
| 7. Rivaldo | 35 |
| =8. Jairzinho | 33 |
| =8. Ronaldinho | 33 |
| =9. Ademir | 32 |
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