Sports
Neymar beat Pele’s record to become Brazil’s all-time top scorer
Neymar has become the all-time leading scorer in Brazil’s national team, overtaking the country’s legendary footballer Pele.
The 31-year-old former FC Barcelona and PSG winger scored two goals against Bolivia in South America’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday night, September 8, to equal and surpass Pele’s record.
Neymar’s two goals helped Brazil to win 5-1 and commence their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on a high note.
Before the game, Neymar was a goal behind Pele in terms of the country’s all-time leading scorer chart. However, in the 17th minute of the encounter, Neymar had the opportunity to equal Pele’s 77 goals for the country in his 125th cap via a spot-kick but Bolivian goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra saved the kick.
After that, Neymar waited until the 61st minute to score his 77th goal and finally equaled Pele’s record. In injury time, the Al Hilal forward cemented his legacy by scoring his 78th goal for Brazil to become the country’s all-time highest goalscorer in international football.
While Pele reached 77 goals in 92 games between 1957 and 1971, Neymar waited until his 125th game before he equaled the record and surpassed it.
Neymar achieved this even though he joined the Brazil national team with fitness issues which he has been battling with since last season. Before the game, he told newsmen that he was mentally ready to play for the team but was not 100 percent fit.
After the game, the head coach of Brazil, Fernando Diniz, described Neymar as a very big Idol as he has continued to prove critics wrong.
“Many did not know what he would come to do, and he came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals, and break the record,” the coach said.
“He is a very big idol, people must recognize him and accept him”.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Everybody sha wan trend for this country” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Nengi BBNaija surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“My Kpekus might be wide oo but you will enjoy it” – Nigerian lady assures fans on social media as she shows off her Toto (Video)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She no still change the cloth oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Buba Girl surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Omo! Na she dey inside the tape oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Destiny Etiko surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Chai! Shakara don end oo” – Nigerians react as new knacking video of Black Chully surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She is a big celebrity now oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video Empress Njamah surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Chai! This one na brotherhood knacking oo” – Nigerians react as kpekus video of Candy Bleakz mistakenly leaks on the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“I will gift a car to anyone who stays up to 10 minutes on this Kpekus” – Nigerian lady shows Facebook fans her Toto as she challenges those who are ready to kanck it (Video)