Minute 105 of the extension of Croatia - Brazil. Triangulation to the edge of the area. Wall with Rodrygo. Second wall with Paquetá. The footballer in question leaves Livakovic and Sosa and shoots high into an empty goal. Great goal from Neymar that equaled Pelé, the top scorer in the history of the Brazilian team with 77 goals for more than 50 years. Neymar is undoubtedly a player who generates love or rejection but whose hierarchy and importance in world football and especially in Brazilian football is indisputable. Brazil celebrated it with force, which was already in the semifinals of the World Cup. They did not expect surprises. But they arrived. And Neymar's record was overshadowed by Croatian Petkovic's goal that led the match to a penalty shootout. And Croatia won. The World Cup dream is over. What a record.
The goal of 10 for the canarinha and leader without an armband was a poisoned gift. It was of little use to Brazil that Neymar matched O Rei, author of 77 goals in 91 games, while the Brazilian number 10 has 77 in 124 games since his debut, on August 10, 2010, with Mano Menezes as coach. Neymar ended sobbing on the green of Education City, the stadium that also witnessed Spain's loss to Morocco.
In collective terms, Pelé's three World Cups are unattainable for a Neymar who, after having participated in three World Cups, has never reached the semifinals. At 30 years old, it remains to be seen if he will try again in the next World Cup. The Brazilian can boast of the 2013 Confederations and the unprecedented Olympic gold in Rio 2016.
Neymar is indeed the top scorer in the Tite cycle with 31 goals (16 from penalties). He is also the player who forced himself against South Korea to overcome his sprained ankle. The Canarinha considered that although they have resources, Neymar is the player who sets the course of the attack and who, indoors, shelters the youngest.
In June 2021, Pelé already predicted what could happen in this World Cup and supported Neymar on his social networks. "Every time I see this boy, he smiles. It's contagious. Like all Brazilians, I'm always happy when I see him play. He's taken another step towards my scoring record with the national team and I'm supporting him," he posted.
O Rei, three times world champion (Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and Mexico 1970), was admitted on November 29 for a reassessment of his treatment for colon cancer detected last year. Since then the shows of support have not stopped and Brazil wants to dedicate the sixth world title to him.
