Neymar Announces Retirement from International Football After Stellar Career
Neymar's Retirement from International Football
File image of Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior(Photo: @TouchlineX/X)
Santos, July 29: Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer, has officially announced his retirement from international football, concluding a remarkable 16-year journey with the national team.
The 34-year-old made this announcement following Santos' 4-2 win against Venezuela's Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana, putting an end to the uncertainty surrounding his international career after Brazil's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil's World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 with a loss to Norway, marking Neymar's last appearance for the five-time champions. The seasoned forward expressed that he leaves the national team without regrets, emphasizing that he always gave his all while donning the national colors.
"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 stated after the match, as reported by Goal.com.
This announcement signifies the conclusion of one of the most illustrious international careers in Brazilian football history. Neymar retires as Brazil's leading goalscorer and has represented the nation in several FIFA World Cups, Copa America tournaments, and Olympic events.
Focus has now shifted entirely to his club career with Santos, where he addressed recent allegations suggesting he had criticized and intimidated younger teammates in the locker room after a league match.
The former captain of Brazil refuted these claims, clarifying that his remarks post-match were solely aimed at encouraging higher performance standards from the team.
"It is sad and annoying, but it is not my fault. These stories reach a lot of people," Neymar remarked.
"I spoke after the match, demanded better, and said we could not afford to be so careless. You cannot give away a draw like that. As captain, I have every right to say that. Lucas Verissimo and Gabigol also spoke to the players," he added.
Despite the surrounding controversies, Neymar contributed significantly to Santos' victory over Universidad Central, helping the Brazilian side progress to the Round of 16 in the Copa Sudamericana, where they will compete against Ecuador's Macara.