Neymar has confirmed that his journey with the Brazilian national team has come to an end after Brazil’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, closing the curtain on a 16-year international career.
The 34-year-old Santos forward made the announcement following his club’s 4-2 triumph over Universidad Central in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana knockout-round playoff. According to Foot-Africa, the statement ends months of speculation about his future with Brazil.
Announcing his decision, Neymar said:
«“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.”»
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star played his final match for Brazil in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. He scored a penalty in stoppage time, but Brazil still fell 2-1, ending their bid for a sixth World Cup title.
Neymar leaves the Seleção as the country’s highest-scoring men’s player, finishing with 80 international goals to break Pelé’s long-standing record of 77.
