Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has officially retired from international football, ending a 16-year spell with the Seleção following Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed his decision after scoring in his club’s 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, putting an end to months of speculation about a possible national team return.

“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 told reporters.

His final appearance for Brazil came in the Round of 16 against Norway, where he converted a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-1 defeat that dashed Brazil’s hopes of a sixth World Cup title.

Neymar departs as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer with 80 goals, surpassing Pelé’s record of 77. Since his debut in 2010, he featured in four World Cups, multiple Copa América tournaments, the FIFA Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Games.

He played a pivotal role in Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup triumph and captained the team to its first Olympic men’s football gold medal at Rio 2016. However, injuries frequently disrupted his international career, including a calf injury that limited his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Neymar’s retirement marks the end of one of Brazil’s most decorated international careers and opens the door for a new generation of talent to lead the five-time world champions into future competitions.

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