Neymar's record for Brazil at international tournaments

For the first time in six decades years, Brazil have a new record goalscorer for the men's national team: Neymar Jr.

A brace against Bolivia on Saturday 9 September saw Neymar surpass Pele's long-standing record of 77 goals for the Selecao, and he could have done so even more emphatically had he not missed a first-half penalty.

Two goals from inside the Bolivian penalty area took his tally to 79 over the course of a 13-year international career. Those goals have come in 125 appearances for Brazil, while the maverick forward has also provided 57 assists in that time for his teammates.

Pele famously won three World Cups but how has Neymar fared on the big stage? Let's look at his record in international tournaments.

Neymar at international tournaments

Copa America - 2011

Surprisingly, neither hosts Argentina nor Neymar's Brazil managed to make it beyond the quarter-finals of the 2011 Copa America. The tournament was won by a Luis Suarez-inspired Uruguay who beat surprise package Paraguay 3-0 in the final.

It was runners-up Paraguay who had knocked Neymar out of his first major tournament, beating Brazil in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. The then-Santos forward started all four of his country's matches, scoring a brace in the final group game against Ecuador.

However, it would ultimately prove a disappointing tournament for Neymar and his Brazilian teammates.

• Games: 4
• Goals: 2

Olympic Games - 2012

While far from the most prestigious international tournament, the Olympics provided a young Neymar the opportunity to shine on the world stage. Neymar helped Brazil reach the final in London, providing three goals and as many assists along the way.

It would end in heartbreak again for Neymar, however, with Brazil losing 2-1 to Mexico in the final. A stoppage-time goal from Hulk was not enough to inspire a dramatic late turnaround, with Neymar having to settle for silver rather than gold.

• Games: 6
• Goals: 3

Confederations Cup - 2013

Probably not the trophy he dreamed of lifting growing up as a young boy in Sao Paulo, but it would still prove to be Neymar's first international silverware.

Neymar was named the best player at the tournament in Brazil, providing four goals and two assists in five matches. The new Barcelona signing also found the back of the net in Brazil's 3-0 final victory over Spain, with his side having already overcome the likes of Italy, Uruguay and Mexico.

• Games: 5
• Goals: 4

World Cup - 2014

With Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, the expectation was there for Neymar to spearhead a new generation of Brazilian talent. The Selecao had not won the competition since 2002, and were under pressure to do so in their own backyard.

Brazil reached the semi-final despite not playing at their scintillating best, with Neymar scoring four times, but the dreams of the nation would soon turn nightmarish.

Neymar picked up an injury late on in the quarter-final victory over Colombia that put him out of action for the rest of the tournament, but he may have been glad he wasn't on the field for the semi-final. It was, of course, the infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany in which Brazil were 5-0 down at half-time in one of the most astonishing World Cup games in history.

• Games: 5
• Goals: 4

Copa America - 2015

It would prove to be another disastrous Copa America for Brazil and especially Neymar. The winger was sent off during his side's second group stage game against Colombia for attempting to headbutt Jeison Murillo and he was suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

Brazil didn't make it much further though, again losing to Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals, just like they had four years earlier.

• Games: 2
• Goals: 1

Olympic Games - 2016

With the Copa America Centenario taking place earlier in the summer of 2016, Neymar instead opted to feature only for Brazil when they hosted the Olympic Games. The decision was reportedly made because Barcelona demanded he have a summer break of some description, forcing him to choose between the tournaments.

It ultimately proved a good decision for Neymar as Brazil went on to win gold, with the forward even scoring the winning penalty in their shootout victory over Germany in the final.

A modicum of revenge for 2014 World Cup humiliation perhaps.

• Games: 6
• Goals: 4

World Cup - 2018

The 2018 World Cup in Russia served as an opportunity for Brazil to redeem themselves for what had happened four years earlier on home soil. However, Neymar was unable to inspire Brazil to glory, with another underwhelming World Cup coming and going for the Selecao.

Neymar scored twice in five games for Brazil, but his side were unable to overcome Belgium in the quarter-final. They lost 2-1 thanks to an own goal from Fernandinho and a strike from his Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne.

• Games: 5
• Goals: 2

Copa America - 2021

Having missed Brazil's 2019 Copa America triumph two years earlier through injury, Neymar must have been cursing his luck on the international stage. It wouldn't get much better for him in 2021 either, with Brazil losing the final to arch-rivals Argentina on home turf.

A single goal from Angel Di Maria was enough to separate the sides, with Neymar having to wait for his own personal Copa America victory. At least his good friend Lionel Messi was happy.

• Games: 6
• Goals: 2

World Cup - 2022

Neymar missed two of Brazil's group-stage games at the 2022 World Cup with injury but appeared to have saved his best form for his return. He was influential in his side's 4-1 thrashing of South Korea in the last 16, while his sensational extra-time goal against Croatia appeared to have sent Brazil into the semi-final.

That wasn't to be the case, however, as Bruno Petkovic popped up with a 117th-minute equaliser to take the game to penalties. Controversially, Neymar didn't take a spot kick in the shootout as he was Brazil's fifth-choice taker, watching on as misses from Rodrygo and Marquinhos denied him a chance to step up to the plate.

Whether Neymar gets another shot at World Cup glory remains to be seen.

• Games: 3
• Goals: 2

Neymar stats by tournament

Neymar's Brazil goals by year (including Olympics)