While Brazil easily disposed of South Korea 5-1 in a friendly match in Seoul on Thursday at midday, Neymar, uncertain weather due to a foot injury, took advantage of the opportunity to expand his goal capital in Seleção.
Thanks to two penalties, one before the break (1-2, 42nd), the other after (1-3, 57th), the Parisian now has 73 goals with Brazil - the other goals were scored by Richarlison (7th), Coutinho (80th) and Gabriel Jesus (90th + 3).
Neymar is only four behind Pelé, Auriverde's top scorer in history with 77 goals.
Neymar is 5 goals away from becoming the top scorer in the history of the Seleção.
🇧🇷🔥
7️⃣7️⃣ — Pelé
7️⃣3️⃣ — Neymar pic.twitter.com/SWYSMSpcJI
— BeFoot (@_BeFoot) June 2, 2022
The number 10 of the Seleção brought danger several times thanks to a few technical gestures such as this pass from the outside of the foot for Lucas Paqueta (52nd), without success since the Lyonnais missed his face-to-face.
Neymar played a total of 78 minutes before being replaced by Philippe Coutinho, author of the fourth Brazilian goal two minutes later (80th).
Disappointing this season with PSG, Neymar hopes to shine with Brazil to attempt a comeback at the 2022 World Cup and return to the race for the Ballon d'Or.
Third in the prestigious individual award in 2015, then in 2017, the striker then demoted in the world hierarchy when he was promised to be the worthy successor to Kaka (2007), Ronaldinho (2005) and Ronaldo (1997, 2002), the last Brazilian winners.
At 30, "Ney" has just completed his least prolific season on an individual level since his arrival in Europe, with thirteen goals and eight assists in 28 games with the Parisian club.
For the first time in his career, he did not score a single goal in the Champions League.
Once again, the Brazilian number 10 suffered physical problems, in particular an ankle injury which sidelined him for thirteen games.
During his five seasons at PSG, Neymar has always played around 30 games on average, but his total goals describe a downward curve, from 28 in 2017-2018 to only thirteen during the last exercise.
In selection, Neymar has posted more than correct statistics this season, with five goals and four assists in seven games.
The rallies in the national team were also for him a bright spot in the middle of the Parisian gloom.
Criticized for his lifestyle and his bling-bling style, "Ney" had spread his spleen in October by telling the DAZN platform that the Mondial-2022 could be his "last".
But another statement from this interview, which went more unnoticed, showed how motivated he was to shine in Qatar.
“I will do everything to get there in great shape, I will do everything to win with my country, to realize my biggest dream since I was little.
And I hope I can get there, ”he warned.
After their great success over Korea, Brazil will continue their Asian tour on Monday in Tokyo with a trip to Japan, winner this Thursday of Paraguay (4-1).