Neymar joins Pele, Ronaldo as only Brazil players to score in three World Cup editions

The forward was on the scoresheet in the Round of 16 fixture after recovering from an injury.

Neymar has become only the third Brazil player to score at three different World Cup editions in men’s football. He joins an elite list of players that have achieved the same feat. He takes his place alongside legends Pele and Ronaldo Nazario who also have scored at three different FIFA World Cups. 

The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker scored in Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea at Stadium 974 on Tuesday to help the team reach the quarter-final. There they will meet FIFA World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia in the last eight stages. As for the Asian challenge at the tournament in Qatar, it ends with South Korea’s elimination at the hands of Brazil after Japan was also beaten by Croatia in the Round of 16.

Interestingly, Neymar has 76 goals for the Brazil national team, one behind the all-time leading scorer, the legendary Pele. The penalty was his seventh goal at World Cup tournaments from 12 appearances.

Brazil becomes the first side to use 26 players

Another feat that Brazil managed to achieve was that it became the first side in World Cup history to use as many as 26 players in a single edition. It was vital for the Selecao to have Neymar back in the lineup after picking up a nasty ankle injury in the first game of the 2022 edition.

Due to the seriousness of the ankle injury, he was ruled out of the rest of the group fixtures against Switzerland and Cameroon respectively. To the relief of Brazil's football team’s fans, Neymar was fit enough to start against South Korea.

He scored his first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2022 by converting his penalty in the 13th minute, thus equalling Pele and Ronaldo’s record of scoring at three or more World Cup editions for the national team. 

If the Brazil men’s national team are to end a 20-year drought and finally win the FIFA World Cup, then Neymar will certainly play a big role. He must stay fit and avoid any injuries as the 30-year-old performs a significant role in Tite’s plans.