Neymar became Brazil's joint-record scorer after hitting his 77th international goal against Croatia at the World Cup on Friday.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker, 30, has equalled Pele's tally and needs just one more goal to become the outright holder of the record. Yet he won't get the chance to achieve that at the tournament in Qatar after Brazil's penalty shootout defeat in the quarter-finals.
Neymar's historic goal came on the stroke of half-time in extra-time. He picked up the ball around 40 yards away from the target and played a nice one-two with Real Madrid ace Rodrygo before doing the same with Lucas Paqueta to leave him bearing down on goal.
Neymar then went around goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and fired his effort into the roof of the net. It was a moment of genius that left Brazil on the verge of victory, but Bruno Petkovic had other ideas. He equalised in the 116th minute to send the game to penalties.
Jurgen Klinsmann told BBC Sport: "Those are the difference makers in this tournament... He [Neymar] goes into that run not knowing where he will end up! But those are the difference makers - they just give it a try. These are things you cannot teach."
Fellow BBC pundit Alex Scott added: "We got some entertainment! Neymar produced a bit of magic. Of all the people for it to fall to, it had to be him. Every Croatian player looked distraught - only [former Liverpool defender Dejan] Lovren was saying we go again."
Jermaine Jenas said on commentary: "Finally, one of the best players in the world turns up. What a goal that is. He has one thing in his mind to drive through the heart of Croatia. The balance, the composure, the brilliance... when it mattered, he delivered."
No other Brazilian has managed to get near Pele's record since he played his final international in 1971. The likes of Ronaldo (62 goals), Romario (55), Zico (48), Bebeto (40) and Rivaldo (35) have all tried to match Pele's tally, yet it's Neymar who's done it.
Neymar started his journey to 77 international goals in August 2010 when he scored on his senior debut for Brazil against the United States. The former Barcelona star has found the net freely since that game - scoring in three consecutive World Cups.
Despite equalling Pele's record, Neymar will not be celebrating on Friday night. Brazil, the favourites, are out of the World Cup and he did not take a penalty in the shootout. Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed from the spot, while Croatia scored all four of their penalties.
"Marquinhos will never forget that moment for the rest of his life," said Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live. "There are Brazilian players lying in floods of tears."
Croatia will reach a second successive World Cup final if they beat the winners of Argentina's clash with the Netherlands at the Lusail Stadium on Friday night. The semi-final will also take place at the Lusail Stadium, with the game pencilled in for Tuesday night.
