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Brazil's top 10 goalscorers of all time

Updated: 25 Jul 2026 19:10 BST |
3 min read

© IMAGO
FT Desk

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Neymar is Brazil’s top scorer of all time, and the Santos forward extended his record at the 2026 World Cup.

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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.

Due to injuries, the legendary forward was unable to play for Brazil for more than two years, but he was surprisingly included in the Selecao’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, where he converted a penalty as his country crashed out against Norway in the round of 16.

The former Barcelona and PSG winger retired from international football with 80 goals to his name after the game and, shockingly, he never had the fortune of winning a major tournament with Brazil.

Neymar leads Brazil scorers

Following Neymar’s retirement, not a single player in the list of Brazil’s top 10 goalscorers is active at the moment – 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.

Pele
© IMAGO – Pele

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.

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 put him 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.

Top 10 Brazil goal scorers of all time

PlayerCapsGoals
Neymar13080
Pele9277
Ronaldo9862
Romario7055
Zico7148
Bebeto7538
Rivaldo7435
Jairzinho8133
Ronaldinho9133
Ademir3932
Tostao5432

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢𝗦/𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘..