Neymar Retires from International Football After 16 Years

Brazilian football superstar Neymar has officially retired from international football after a distinguished 16-year career with the Brazil national team, following the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed his retirement after his club's 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs.

Neymar stated, “My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life.” His final match for Brazil was in the Round of 16 against Norway, where he scored a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-1 defeat.

Neymar, who sustained a grade two calf muscle injury prior to the tournament, had previously missed Brazil's first two group-stage matches. He retires as Brazil's all-time highest-scoring men's player with 80 goals, surpassing Pelé's record of 77.

Throughout his career, Neymar earned over 130 caps and participated in four FIFA World Cups, winning the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the Olympic gold medal in 2016.