Brazil forward Neymar Jr. has officially ended his 16-year international career, confirming his retirement from the Selecao after featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old made the announcement to reporters following Santos' 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs.
Emotional Farewell to the National Team
“My time with the national team is over,” Neymar declared. “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.” The star forward, who earned 128 caps and scored 79 goals for Brazil, leaves as the country's all-time top scorer.
Final Appearance at the World Cup
Neymar's last game for Brazil came in the World Cup round of 16 against Norway. He converted a stoppage-time penalty, but it proved only a consolation as Brazil were eliminated from the tournament. The decision marks the end of an era for Brazilian football, with Neymar having been the face of the team since his debut in 2010.
His retirement follows a decorated international career that included a Confederations Cup title (2013), an Olympic gold medal (2016), and numerous individual accolades. Santos, his boyhood club where he began his career, also featured in his final international chapter as he played for them again after returning from European football.
