KEY POINTS

  • Brazil defeated Peru 4-2 in their latest FIFA World Cup qualifying match
  • Neymar’s 64 goals allow him to surpass Ronaldo as the second-leading scorer for Brazil
  • Only Pele stands ahead of Neymar and Ronaldo

Neymar reached another milestone in his career as he surpassed Ronaldo Nazário for the second-most goals in Brazil history. Only Pele stands in front of the Paris Saint-Germain left-winger as the leading scorer of their country.

It was a hat-trick by Neymar that had him moving up the goalscoring list. Brazil defeated Peru 4-2 in their recent FIFA World Cup qualifier care of Neymar’s impressive performance and teammate Richarlison’s 64th-minute goal.

Despite Peru tallying the opening goal in the sixth minute of the match, it was Neymar who answered back with the equalizer care of a penalty. Both teams responded with a goal on each side before the PSG star took over offensively late in the game. Neymar would take advantage of another penalty in the 83rd minute, completing his hat-trick in stoppage time.

This achievement for Neymar has him at 64 goals in 103 games for Brazil, putting him ahead of Ronaldo on the nation's all-time goalscoring list, Goal reported.

Throughout Ronaldo’s 17-year international career, he scored 62 goals in 98 appearances for Brazil. The legend from Rio de Janeiro made his debut in 1994 and was able to make a significant impact in his country. He led his team to two World Cups, two Copa Americas and a Confederations Cup.

The only player ahead of Ronaldo and Neymar now is Pele, who has a total of 77 goals for Brazil.

There’s no doubt that Neymar is one of the best players in his country as countryman Cláudio Taffarel pointed out that the 28-year-old has what it takes to give Brazil another shot at the World Cup.

"He plays the game in a beautiful way. He’s an incredible dribbler, sets up goals, scores fantastic goals," Taffarel told the official FIFA website in August.

"He’s very important for us. We really hope he can be at his best and help Brazil win another World Cup. He’s a superstar," he continued.

Neymar has made meaningful achievements for his homeland and is looking to do the same in games to come. Brazil’s next World Cup qualifying match is on Nov. 13 against Venezuela.

Brazil's Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017
Brazil's Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017 AFP / FRANCK FIFE