sport news Neymar equals Pele's record off 77 Brazil goals but Brazilian Confederation ... trends now
View
comments
Neymar has drawn level with Pele as the leading goalscorer in Brazil history after striking in extra time in Friday's quarter-final against Croatia.
That's according to FIFA, anyway, who have Neymar drawing alongside the legendary Brazilian on 77 goals for the World Cup's most successful nation.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) records say otherwise, however. They state that Pele actually scored 95 goals for his country in 113 games - not the 77 in 92 appearances that FIFA have on record.
Neymar celebrates after scoring his 77th goal for Brazil in their quarter-final against Croatia
Neymar draws level with Pele, who scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil, according to FIFA
The disparity comes as a result of what the two organisations constitute to be an international match, with FIFA counting fixtures between two countries, while Brazil consider friendlies played against club sides - which they would do in the 20th century - as official games.
And in those fixtures, against the likes of Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Atletico Mineiro, Pele is said to have scored 18 goals in 22 appearances.
So, according to CBF records, Neymar still has to score another 18 goals before he
