Cafu Predicts Neymar Will Pass Pele on Brazil's All-Time Scoring Chart

Former Brazil right-back Cafu has predicted Neymar will overtake Selecao legend Pele as his nation's all-time leading goalscorer. Speaking to FIFA (h/t Goal's Chris Myson), the World Cup-winner endorsed Barcelona forward Neymar eventually breaking Pele's record.

Cafu said he believes 25-year-old Neymar has the time to relegate Pele's 77 international goals to second place, per the report: "All records exist only to be beaten. Of course, Neymar has got it in him. He's young and has time on his side. If he continues playing as he is now, then there is every possibility he will [overtake Pele]."

It's understandable Neymar would be tipped to score more times than Pele did for Brazil. After all, the former Santos man has already netted a half-century worth of goals for the Selecao.

To put those impressive numbers into context, Neymar trails only three other illustrious strikers: Pele, Romario and Ronaldo, according to Myson. That's select company for any Brazilian attacker.

DANIEL GARCIA/Getty Images

Neymar has merited his place, though, thanks largely to how he often saves his best performances for international duty. He is also improving as a player, rapidly developing from an unquestioned talent into a genuine, world-class match-winner.

Neymar recently proved his credentials as the latter by helping inspire club side Barca to an historic comeback win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. He scored twice as the Blaugrana erased a four-goal deficit, winning 6-1 at the Camp Nou.

The player himself called it "the best game I’ve ever played" during an interview with beIN Sports (h/t Metro's Chris Davie). Neymar has the talent to reproduce a performance of this magnitude for Brazil.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

The only difference is his international exploits may not coincide with the success Pele's goals brought the South American nation. Pele won three World Cups with his country, while Romario and Ronaldo both lifted the trophy once, with Cafu also part of the latter two triumphs.

By contrast, Neymar is thriving during a relatively lean period for the Selecao.