Brazil’s forward #10 Neymar reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway on the Recent York/Recent Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
RIO DE JANEIRO–Neymar has confirmed his international retirement, tearfully declaring he was done playing for the Brazil national team following their World Cup defeat by Norway.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I used to be very glad, I gave my blood and my life… but now I don’t want it anymore,” Neymar told journalists after his club Santos defeated Venezuela’s UCV 4-2 within the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday.
READ: Neymar says he’s done playing for Brazil after World Cup exit
Brazil’s record goalscorer was included within the World Cup squad almost three years after he last played for the national team, and played only 37 minutes across two matches.
His only goal — a penalty — was not enough to forestall an early exit for Brazil after a 2-1 defeat to Norway within the last 16 and he tearfully declared: “It ends here.”
Neymar, 34, stays under contract with Santos — fighting to avoid relegation — until the tip of the yr.
He scored twice in his first match upon his return, responding to his critics with a tongue-in-cheek goal celebration.
Neymar celebrated with a card-dealing gesture — after facing criticism for participating in a poker tournament while his team-mates were playing a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela.
He began on the bench Tuesday for the return game against the identical team, as Santos comfortably sealed a spot within the last 16.