Author: Dhruv Patil
In a memorable match against Peru on September 13, 2023, Marquinhos, the Paris Saint-Germain defender, etched his name in the annals of Brazilian soccer history.
By scoring the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 victory
Marquinhos became the Brazilian defender with the most goals in World Cup qualifying, equaling the record previously held by Ricardo Gomes.
At 29, Marquinhos is no stranger to the international stage. He is the second most capped player in the history of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign, having played 30 games, just one less than former defender Lúcio. His journey to this milestone began in 2012, when he was unveiled by Corinthians. A year later, he made his senior international debut in a friendly against Honduras.
Marquinhos’ latest goal was not only his first in this edition of qualifying, but also his third in total, equaling Ricardo Gomes’ record. It’s interesting to note that while Gomes achieved this feat in just 8 games, Marquinhos did it in 30. That says a lot about his consistency and commitment to the Brazilian team over the years.
The list of Brazilian defenders with the most goals in World Cup qualifying is now as follows:
- Marquinhos: 3 goals in 30 games
- Ricardo Gomes: 3 goals in 8 games
- Antônio Carlos: 2 goals in 10 games
- Juan: 2 goals in 23 games
- Roque Jr., Miranda, Edmílson, Luisão: 1 goal each
Marquinhos’ achievement is proof of his skill, leadership and longevity in the sport. As one of the most experienced players in Fernando Diniz’s team, he remains a cornerstone for Brazil in their quest for World Cup glory.