Brazilian football is renowned for its flair and panache. The South American side is considered to be the greatest international football team in history and the five World Cup titles in their cabinet are a testament to it.
The ‘Canarinho’ also have a rich history of producing the game's most iconic strikers. From Pele, who scored in a World Cup final at the age of 17 (vs Sweden, 1958) to Ronaldo Nazario, one of the finest No. 9s of all time, Brazil remains to be the home of football’s greatest talents.
Pele is the highest goal-scorer for Brazil in international football, with 77 goals in 92 matches. Neymar scored in the quarter final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 to go on level terms with Pele.
Most goals for Brazil
|
Position |
Player |
Games |
Goals |
Brazil career |
|
1. |
Pele |
92 |
77 |
1957 - 1971 |
|
2. |
Neymar |
124 |
77 |
2010 - present |
|
3. |
Ronaldo |
99 |
62 |
1994 - 2011 |
|
4. |
Romario |
71 |
55 |
1987 - 2005 |
|
5. |
Zico |
71 |
48 |
1976 - 1986 |
|
6. |
Bebeto |
77 |
40 |
1985 - 1998 |
|
7. |
Rivaldo |
76 |
35 |
1993 - 2003 |
|
8. |
Jairzinho |
82 |
35 |
1964 - 1982 |
|
9. |
Ronaldinho |
97 |
33 |
1999 - 2013 |
|
10. |
Tostao |
55 |
32 |
1966 - 1972 |
Pele - 77 goals in 92 matches
Considered to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele is a three-time World Cup winner with the Brazil national football team. In his first appearance at the tournament in 1958, he scored six goals, including a terrific strike in the final against Sweden. In the process, he also became the youngest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history. Pele finished with 77 goals in 92 matches for ‘The Selecao’.
Neymar - 77 goals in 123 matches
Neymar is touted as Brazil’s prodigal son of the current generation and he is their fourth-most capped player (123 matches). He was a part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team in 2016 and finished as a runner-up in Copa America 2021. Neymar has scored 77 goals in 124 appearances for Brazil.
Ronaldo - 62 goals in 99 matches
Ronaldo, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker, was a part of Brazil’s 2002 FIFA World Cup triumph in South Korea. He is the country’s leading goal-scorer in the FIFA World Cup, with 15 goals across three editions (1998, 2002 and 2006). Brazil’s ‘O Fenomeno’ scored 62 goals in 99 matches in international football.
Romario - 55 goals in 71 matches
One of world football’s most clinical forwards, Romario scored over 750 goals for club and country in an illustrious career that lasted nearly 25 years. He was also named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994 after he won the football World Cup in the USA. Romario played his last international match in 2005 against Guatemala, finishing with 55 goals in 71 matches.
Zico - 48 goals in 71 matches
Zico is considered to be the greatest Brazilian player to have never won a World Cup. Regarded as “The white Pele” for his trickery and technical ability, his best performance in the world’s biggest tournament was a third-place finish in 1978. Zico scored 48 times for the national side in 71 matches.
Photo Credit: Alamy
