Ten top 10 goal scorers in Brazil history
1. Pele: 77 goals in 92 games
Seen by many as the best ever player in the world, Pele notched a total of 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil as he helped them to global fame.
He has 34 goals in friendly matches, six in World Cup Qualifiers, 12 goals in World Cup, eight goals in Copa America and 17 goals in other competitions.
2. Neymar: 64 goals, 103 games
Neymar overtook Ronaldo and moved into second place behind Pele on Brazil’s all-time goalscoring list after notching a hat-trick in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying victory over Peru.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker now has 64 goals from 103 matches, two more than Ronaldo and 13 behind Pele, who heads the list with 77, according to the count by world football governing body Fifa. Brazil coach Tite was, however, reluctant to compare his current star with past greats.
3. Ronaldo: 62 goals in 98 games
One of the best goal getters of his generation, Ronaldo scored 21 goals for Brazil in friendly matches, 10 in Copa America, four goals in Confederations Cup, a resounding 15 in World Cup, 10 in World Cup qualifiers and two in other tournaments.
4. Romario: 55 goals in 70 games
Currently a politician in Brazil, Romario was a prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing and he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time with 55 goals in 70 matches for his country.
5. Zico: 48 goals in 71 games
Zico played three World Cups from 1978 to 1986 under the Brazilian soccer team and won the hearts of millions of people.
Pele, the god of football once said, “Zico is the only one who resembles my playing method.”
6. Bebeto: 39 goals in 75 games
Bebeto, who played as a forward, entered politics in the 2010 Brazilian general elections and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro representing the Democratic Labour Party.
He boasts 39 goals in 75 matches for Brazil with six of the goals being scored at the World Cup.
7. Rivaldo: 35 goals in 74 games
He played mainly as an attacking midfielder but also as a second striker.
Often considered one of the best players of his generation, Rivaldo is also regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
He scored 13 goals for Brazil in friendly matches, nine in World Cup qualifiers, eight goals at the World Cup and five at Copa America.
8. Jairzinho: 33 goals in 81 games
A quick, skillful, and powerful right winger, known for his finishing ability and eye for goal, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 World Cup.
He scored 17 goals for Brazil in friendly matches, three goals in World Cup qualifiers, nine at the World Cup and four in other tournaments.
9. Ronaldinho: 33 goals in 97 games
He played mostly as an attacking midfielder, but was also deployed as a forward or a winger.
Often considered one of the best players of his generation and regarded by many as one of the greatest of all time, Ronaldinho won two Fifa World Player of the Year awards (in 2004 and 2005) and a Ballon d’Or in 2005.
10. Ademir: 32 goals in 39 games
Best known as Ademir de Menezes, the footballer is regarded as one of the best centre forwards in the history of the Brazil national team.
His prominent underbite earned him the nickname “Queixada”, which means “jaw”.
Brazil is one of the most accomplished football countries of all-time. The large South American nation has won the most Fifa World Cup championships ever with five.
Their last victory in the big game came in 2002 when they defeated Germany.
With so many championships at the global level, and eight Copa America titles at the continental level, Brazil has benefitted from elite players.
Brazilian soccer fans have been blessed with some of the greatest players to ever play the game from the Pele era to Ronaldo’s greatness to the new Neymar period.
Pele is the all-time leading scorer in Brazilian history with 77 goals. He will forever be remembered for delivering three World Cups for Brazil.
He is widely regarded (around the world) as the greatest player of all-time, even though he did not win the Copa America.
Pele lost his only Copa America in 1959 to Argentina.
Ronaldo had the second-most goals in Brazil history with 62 until last week when Neymar surpassed his mark after scoring a hat trick against Peru.
And now Neymar is closing in on Pele, so who are the other Brazil all time top goal scorers?
