2023-09-09 03:49:05
The 31-year-old started the match with Pele as Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals.
The new player for Al Hilal Saudi Club had a golden opportunity to break up this partnership in the 17th minute when Brazil won a penalty kick, but Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscara blocked it, keeping the tie alive.
Brazil took the lead seven minutes later through Rodrigo, who followed up on a Rafinha shot that was blocked by the goalkeeper.
The five-time world champion doubled the numbers following the break with a shot by Rafinha (48), before five minutes later Rodrigo added his second goal following an assist from Neymar (53).
Then came Neymar’s moment to make history in the 61st minute, following taking advantage of a stray ball in the penalty area, to score his 78th goal in his 125th international match with the Seleção, raising his hands and staring towards the sky.
Bolivia reduced the gap through Victor Abrego with a stunning shot past Ederson (78).
But Neymar concluded the festival by strengthening his new record with a fifth goal following a pass from Rafinha in stoppage time (90+3).
Pele, who died in December at the age of 82, scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 matches between 1957 and 1971.
Neymar played the match following admitting on Thursday that he was not in his best physical condition: “I am not 100% physically ready, but my head and body are in good condition.”
He continued, “It is not the first time I have been called up to the national team squad and been in a similar condition. In past years, I arrived in a similar condition and played 90 minutes (…) No matter the period of absence, we know how to play football. It is like riding a bicycle.”
Neymar has not yet started his career with Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia, following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last August, due to a “minor injury,” according to his Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who doubted the possibility of his new player playing in the Bolivia match.
Neymar was called up to play the matches between Bolivia and Peru (Tuesday in Lima), following missing three friendly matches due to injury.
This was the first match for interim coach Fernando Diniz, who was appointed until Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the current coach of Real Madrid, takes over in June 2024.
During the World Cup in Qatar last fall, Brazil, the five-time defending champion, was eliminated from the quarter-finals by Croatia on penalties.
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