AFCON 2025
Neymar has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to one of the most iconic careers in the history of the Brazil national team.
The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed he has played his final match for the Seleção following Brazil’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending more than a decade of service in the famous yellow jersey.
Speaking after Santos’ Copa Sudamericana victory over UCV, Neymar made it clear there would be no return to the national team.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life, I always fought and gave everything for the yellow shirt, but now I don’t want to do it anymore,” he said.
The announcement ends months of speculation over his international future and signals the close of a remarkable chapter in Brazilian football.
Despite never winning the FIFA World Cup, Neymar bows out as Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 80 goals, while also registering 58 assists in 130 appearances for the five-time world champions.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted players of his generation, Neymar carried the expectations of a football-mad nation throughout his international career, producing countless memorable moments for the Seleção.
Among his greatest achievements were leading Brazil to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup title, winning Olympic gold on home soil at Rio 2016, and lifting the 2011 South American U-20 Championship.
However, the FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles ultimately remained elusive. Injuries also played a significant role in shaping his international journey, most notably the back injury that ruled him out before Brazil’s infamous 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
After returning under coach Carlo Ancelotti for one final attempt at World Cup glory in 2026, Neymar has now decided to step away from international football for good.
His retirement also marks the beginning of a new era for Brazil, with Ancelotti expected to oversee a generational rebuild ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Although World Cup glory escaped him, Neymar leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of Brazil’s greatest-ever footballers and one of the defining stars of modern international football.
