Neymar has all but confirmed his retirement from international football, saying his time with Brazil has come to an end after more than 16 years with the national team.
The 34-year-old, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, made the announcement after Santos defeated Venezuela's Universidad Central 4-2 in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night, bringing further clarity to comments he first made following Brazil's shock World Cup exit earlier this month.
"I think my time with the national team has already passed," Neymar told reporters. "I made history there, and I'm very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don't think I want it anymore."
His remarks effectively closed the door on an international career that ended in heartbreak when Brazil suffered a 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 5.
After coming off the bench and converting a stoppage-time penalty in that match, an emotional Neymar hinted that his journey with the Selecao was over.
