Neymar Concludes International Career
Neymar, Brazil‘s all-time leading scorer, has officially announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career with the national team that spanned over 16 years. The announcement follows weeks of speculation regarding his future after Brazil‘s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward confirmed his decision after helping Santos secure a 4-2 victory against Venezuela‘s Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana. His final appearance for Brazil was in the Round of 16 match against Norway, which ended in a 1-2 defeat for Brazil.
Speaking after the Santos match, Neymar stated, "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." This statement echoes sentiments he expressed after the World Cup defeat to Norway, where he reportedly said, "I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here; I finished here."
Neymar departs the international stage as Brazil‘s record goalscorer, having accumulated 80 goals and 59 assists across 130 appearances. His last international goal came from a penalty kick during stoppage time against Norway, serving as a consolation in a match where Erling Haaland‘s late brace ended Brazil‘s aspirations for a sixth World Cup title.
Career Highlights and Recent Speculation
During his tenure with the Selecao, Neymar played a significant role in Brazil‘s triumph in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He also captained the nation to an Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, solidifying his status among the country’s prominent footballers.
Reports from sources close to Neymar, as relayed by the Brazilian press, suggest that he is "tired of the world of football" and is seriously considering full retirement from the sport. This comes after his emotional departure from the World Cup, reportedly in tears, due to accumulated frustration from not making the desired impact.
Despite the international retirement, Neymar remains under contract with his club Santos until December 31. Should he decide to retire from all football, his contract with Santos may need to be terminated early.
Addressing Off-Field Reports
In addition to confirming his international retirement, Neymar addressed recent reports alleging that he had criticised and intimidated younger teammates at Santos following a recent league match. He denied these suggestions, asserting that he had merely demanded higher standards after a disappointing performance.
He explained, "It is sad and annoying, but it is not my fault. These stories reach a lot of people." Neymar further clarified his actions, stating, "I spoke after the match, demanded better, and said we could not afford to be so careless. You cannot give away a draw like that. As captain, I have every right to say that. Lucas Verissimo and Gabigol also spoke to the players."
Despite these off-field discussions, Neymar contributed to Santos‘ 4-2 victory over Universidad Central, which secured their place in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. Santos is now set to face Ecuadorian club Macara in the next stage of the competition.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
