Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has said he is done with international football. This marks the end of his 16-year journey with the Seleção after Brazil was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old Santos player made the announcement following his team’s 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs. His decision ends months of talk about a possible return to the national team, according to Foot-Africa.
"My time with the national team is over."
"I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life. I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore," Neymar told reporters.
Neymar played his last game for Brazil in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. He scored a penalty in stoppage time, but Brazil lost 2-1, ending their hopes for a sixth World Cup title.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player leaves as Brazil’s all-time leading men's goalscorer. He scored 80 goals, breaking Pelé’s long-standing record of 77.
Since debuting in 2010, Neymar played in four FIFA World Cups, several Copa América tournaments, the FIFA Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Games. He was key in Brazil’s win at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and led the team to its first Olympic gold medal in men’s football at the Rio 2016 Games.
Injuries often troubled his international career, especially at the World Cup. A grade two calf muscle injury from playing for Santos kept him out of Brazil’s first two games at the 2026 tournament.
He made a comeback as a substitute in the final group-stage match against Scotland. He then played again as a substitute in the last-16 loss to Norway, scoring the last goal of his international career.
Neymar’s retirement marks the end of one of the most successful careers in Brazilian football history. It also opens the door for a new generation of players to take Brazil forward in upcoming competitions.
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