Rafael Nogueira
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Neymar has effectively closed the door on his Brazil career, stating he no longer wants to represent the national team — weeks after hinting the same following their World Cup last-16 loss to Norway.
The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, made the remarks after Santos defeated Venezuela’s Universidad Central 4-2 in a Copa Sudamericana match late on Tuesday.
“I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I’m very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don’t think I want it anymore,” he told reporters.
Those words reinforce what he said immediately after Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup defeat by Norway on July 5th. Coming on as a substitute, Neymar scored a stoppage-time penalty before telling Brazilian broadcaster ge that his international chapter was finished.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over.”
He was visibly emotional after the result, which marked Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit since 1990 and extended the five-time champions’ wait for a record-extending sixth title.
Neymar appeared in four World Cups across a career that included spells at Santos, Barcelona, and PSG. His sole senior international trophy was the Confederations Cup in 2013. His full Brazil record stands at 80 goals and 58 assists across 130 appearances — a statistical legacy no other Brazilian player has matched.
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