"My time with national team is over": Neymar confirms Brazil retirement
Santos, July 29
Brazil legend Neymar has all but confirmed his retirement from international football, stating that he no longer intends to represent Brazil.
As per 433's Instagram post, Neymar, after Santos' 4-2 victory over Venezuela's Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday, said his international career with Brazil is over, adding that he believes he has made history with the national team. Reflecting on his journey, he said he gave everything for Brazil and the yellow jersey but no longer wishes to continue representing the country.
"My time with the national team is over. I believe I've made history there, and I was very happy. I lived so many things, gave my blood and my life, and always fought for the yellow jersey, but I think I don't want that anymore now," he said as per 433.
Neymar's remarks came just weeks after he hinted that Brazil's 2-1 Round of 16 defeat to Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026 would likely mark his final appearance for the national team.
Brazil's hopes of winning a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title came to an end after Erling Haaland's late brace inspired Norway to victory, with Neymar's stoppage-time penalty serving only as a consolation.
After the loss, Neymar had told reporters, as quoted by ESPN UK, "I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here; I finished here."
Neymar's penalty, converted in the 10th minute of added time after Leo Ostigard was penalised for a foul on Casemiro, was his first goal of the tournament.
It also took his international tally to 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 appearances for Brazil, further extending his record as the nation's all-time leading scorer. With that, he finished his international career as the all-time leading scorer for Brazil.
During his time with the Selecao, Neymar helped the country lift the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and won the Olympic gold medal on home soil at the Rio 2016 Games.
The veteran forward's participation in the 2026 World Cup had remained uncertain until the final stages of squad selection because of fitness concerns.
However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti included him in Brazil's 26-man squad, hoping his experience would inspire another deep run in the tournament.
Instead, Brazil's campaign ended in dramatic fashion. Norway, appearing in the knockout stages with growing confidence, absorbed sustained Brazilian pressure before Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a towering header from Andreas Schjelderup's cross.
For Brazil, the defeat marked a seventh consecutive World Cup knockout loss to European opposition and their earliest World Cup exit since 1990, while Neymar's emotional farewell closed the chapter on an era that defined Brazilian football for more than a decade.
— ANI
Reader Comments
What a career! From Santos to Barcelona to PSG, Neymar was pure entertainment. That Olympic gold in Rio 2016 was special. But India has its own football heroes too – Sunil Chhetri also retired recently. Both legends in their own way. ⚽🔥
Neymar was amazing but his career was always about 'what if'. What if he hadn't been injured so often? What if he had focused more on fitness? Still, 130 caps for Brazil is no joke. Respect for his passion and love for the yellow jersey. Wishing him well in club football!
As a football fan in India, I always admired Neymar's flair and creativity. But come on – retiring after losing to Norway? That's a bit dramatic, no? Brazil's problem isn't just Neymar; it's the whole system. They need to rebuild from grassroots. Still, thanks for the memories, Ney! 🇧🇷
Neymar was one of the most skillful players ever. His dribbling, his creativity – pure magic. But he never won a World Cup, and that will always be a shadow on his legacy. Still, 80 goals for Brazil is incredible. A true legend of the game.
I remember watching Neymar in the 2014 World Cup when I was in school. He was so young and full of energy. Now he's retiring from international football. Time flies. 😢 He gave his blood and life for Brazil, as he said. Respect for that. 🇧🇷
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