Neymar’s hat-trick in Brazil’s 4-2 win over Peru leaves him second on the country’s list of highest goalscorers.The 28-year-old took his tally of international goals to 64, surpassing Ronaldo to jump into second place.Only the legendary Pele, on 77 goals, now sits ahead of Neymar.The Paris Saint-Germain star has enjoyed an incredible career with his country that was capped when he led them to Olympic glory in 2016.There have been disappointments, of course. Things might have been so different for Neymar and Brazil had he not suffered a fractured vertebra in his spine at the 2014 World Cup, forcing him to miss the infamous semi-final clash against Germany.
But there’s no doubting that Neymar is already one of their greatest players of all time.Just how great? Well, fans have had their say and they’ve ranked Neymar outside the top 10 of Brazil’s all-time greatest players.Here’s the top 50, from Ranker, from descending order.50. Branco49. Aldair48. Dunga
47. Arthur Friedenreich46. Douglas Costa45. Ademir da Guia44. Ze Roberto43. Roberto Dinamite42. Mario Zagallo41. Robinho
40. Maicon39. Casemiro38. Zito37. Philippe Coutinho36. Roberto Firmino
35. Dida34. Claudio Taffarel33. Alisson Becker32. Adriano31. Thiago SilvaThere are some familiar names in the 31-50 group.Both Robinho and Adriano had the ability to be iconic players in Brazil’s history, but the former has failed to live up to his potential while the latter, once viewed as the next Ronaldo, struggled following the death of his father in 2004.Meanwhile, it’s interesting that Alisson Becker has already surpassed Dida on the rankings. Dida won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and enjoyed a great career, but he was prone to making mistakes.30. Jorginho29. Juninho Pernambucano
28. Gilmar27. Careca26. Marcelo25. Marta
24. Vava23. Leonidas da Silva22. Nilton Santos21. Djalma SantosIt’s great to see Marta get the respect that she deserves.Widely regarded as the greatest female player ever, Marta is a six-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award and holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup tournaments with 17.Juninho Pernambucano comes in at No.29. The former midfielder earned a cult status for his remarkable free-kick skills.20. Bebeto19. Paulo Roberto Falcao18. Gerson17. Dani Alves
16. Tostao15. Neymar
14. Didi13. Roberto Rivelino12. Jairzinho11. ZicoYes, that really is Neymar at No.15.The former Barcelona forward is one of the most talented players around, but he’s also faced a lot of criticism for his antics on the pitch.Brazilian fans are also very demanding of their players. So Neymar’s failure to guide his country to World Cup glory - they crashed out at the quarter-final stage in 2018 - currently holds him back.The three players directly ahead of him all won the World Cup, while Zico was a fantastic player often called the ‘white Pele’.10. Carlos Alberto
9. Socrates
8. Cafu
7. Kaka
6. Garrincha
5. Romario
4. Rivaldo
3. Ronaldinho
2. Pele
1. Ronaldo
So. Many. Legends.
While we don’t agree with Neymar being outside the top 10, it’s easier to understand why he didn’t make it when you see the players picked ahead of him.
Carlos Alberto, responsible for one of the greatest goals in World Cup history, was a terrific full-back. Garrincha was mesmerising with the ball at his feet.
Then you’ve got Ballon d’Or winners in the form of Kaka, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
O Fenomeno comes out on top ahead of Pele and Ronaldinho. His story is one of triumph, having led his country to World Cup glory in 2002 after underperforming in the final four years before after suffering a severe seizure.
Neymar has surpassed Ronaldo’s tally, but the immense adoration for R9 will remain forever.