Official: Neymar Jr. ends his international career with Brazil!
After the great sadness experienced by the Brazilian boy Neymar Jr. in bidding farewell to the 2026 World Cup against the Norwegian national team led by Erling Haaland, there were many rumors suggesting that the Brazilian star would retire from international play completely after this tournament, and now the confirmation has indeed arrived.
The Brazilian star has definitively declared that "his time is over" with the Brazilian national team, thus ending his 16-year journey wearing the Brazilian jersey. The 34-year-old announced his international retirement after their victory against Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs
Neymar's statement about the end of their journey with the Seleção
Neymar has announced the end of his journey with the Brazilian national team, declaring that his time representing the Seleção has come to a close.
"My time with the national team is over," Neymar told reporters. "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."
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His farewell match unfolded on the world stage during the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stepping up in stoppage time, he converted a penalty against Norway—a strike that briefly flickered with hope, though it ultimately served as little more than a consolation. Brazil fell 2-1, their pursuit of a coveted sixth world crown extinguished in that very moment.
Since bursting onto the senior scene in 2010, Neymar carved out a legacy that few can rival. He exits the international arena as Brazil's all-time leading men's goalscorer, his tally of 80 official goals eclipsing the legendary Pelé, who had long held the mark at 77. Revered as one of the finest talents ever to don the famous yellow shirt, his departure marks the end of an era for Brazilian football.