Neymar retires from Brazil national team

Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has confirmed his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most celebrated careers in the history of the Seleção following Brazil’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 34-year-old announced his decision after Brazil were eliminated in the round of 16 with a 2-1 defeat to Norway, ending their hopes of lifting a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Neymar made his final appearance for his country as a second-half substitute and converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, scoring what proved to be the last goal of his international career.

Speaking after Santos' 4-2 victory over Universidad Central, Neymar reiterated that he had no intention of reversing his decision.

“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,” he said.

Neymar bows out as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 80 goals in 130 appearances over a 16-year international career.

Only legendary captain Cafu, with 142 caps, played more matches for Brazil.

He also became only the second Brazilian footballer after Pelé to score in four different FIFA World Cups—2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

Born on 5 February 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Neymar emerged from the famed Santos FC academy before making his professional debut in 2009.

His dazzling dribbling ability, creativity and eye for goal quickly established him as one of the brightest young talents in world football.

He enjoyed enormous success at club level, representing Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Hilal and later returning to Santos.

At Santos, Neymar inspired the Brazilian giants to the 2011 Copa Libertadores, ending the club’s 48-year wait for South America’s biggest club prize.

He later formed the famous MSN attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Barcelona, helping the Spanish club win the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League, two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

In 2017, Neymar completed a world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, where he won five Ligue 1 titles, several domestic cups and guided the French champions to their first-ever UEFA Champions League final in 2020.

Although injuries limited his spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, he added another domestic honour before returning to his boyhood club.

On the international stage, Neymar’s trophy cabinet includes the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, and the Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, when he scored the decisive penalty against Germany in the final.

He also helped Brazil finish runners-up at the 2021 Copa América.

Individually, Neymar collected numerous honours throughout his career, including two South American Footballer of the Year awards, multiple Samba Gold titles, selection in the FIFA FIFPro World XI and UEFA Team of the Year, while regularly featuring among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or.