Neymar: “My time is over” – Brazilian star ends

Neymar: "My time is over" – Brazilian star ends

According to Championat.

Background

Neymar, now 34 years old, has had an impressive career with the Seleção. His achievements, including winning an Olympic gold medal and reaching the Copa América final, have given him legendary status in Brazil. His retirement marks the end of an era in which he was not only a star player, but also a symbol of hope and pride for Brazilian football.

Why this matters

Neymar's retirement from the Brazilian national team marks the end of an era for Brazilian football. With 130 caps and 80 goals, he is the Seleção's all-time top scorer, and his contribution to the team has been crucial in major tournaments such as the Olympic Games and the Copa América. His departure raises questions about the future of the team, especially in view of the 2026 World Cup.

Key points

• Neymar: "My time is over" – Brazilian star ends.
• Neymar retires as an international player for Brazil after 130 international matches and 80 goals.
• «Моё время подошло к концу». Неймар — о завершении карьеры в сборной Бразилии.

Neymar has officially ended his international career with Brazil. The Santos forward announced that he will no longer play for the national team. "My time in the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave everything I could and gave my life for it. I always fought and gave 100 percent for the yellow shirt. But I don't want to do that anymore," said Neymar, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. With his farewell, the Brazilian star closes a rich chapter. Since his debut in 2010, Neymar has made 130 appearances, finding the net 80 times and providing 59 assists. This makes the 34-year-old attacker the all-time top scorer of the Brazilian national team. In the shirt of the Seleção, he won Olympic gold in 2016, took silver at the 2012 Games and won the 2013 Confederations Cup. In addition, Brazil reached the final of the 2021 Copa América with Neymar in the team, where it ultimately finished second. The announcement follows in the aftermath of the 2026 World Cup. Brazil stranded there in the eighth finals after a painful 1-2 defeat against Norway. The tournament was ultimately won by Spain. For the five-time world champion, Neymar's departure means a symbolic changing of the guard: a generational icon says goodbye, while the focus inevitably shifts to innovation and the next cycle. In more than a decade and a half, Neymar became the face of the Brazilian team. With his dribbling, technique and threat around the box, he was the game changer in several tournaments. His figures underline this: on average, he was direct in a huge number of goalsinvolved. At the same time, he also brought trophies to Brazil, culminating in the historic Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro – a long-cherished prize for the football-mad country. His choice to retire as an international player seems mainly motivated by the feeling that his mission with the national team is complete. The words he chose – about giving everything, living for the yellow shirt and now drawing a line – leave little room for doubt. For the supporters it is a moment of reflection: a player who defined a generation closes the door behind him, while his statistics will speak for years to come. At club level, Neymar currently plays for Santos, the club where he once made his breakthrough before making his way internationally. It is now definitely over for the national team. Brazil will enter the coming international matches without its record scorer and will have to look for new leaders in the dressing room and on the field. What remains is a legacy of goals, moments and trophies that inextricably link his name to the Seleção.

What's happening now

With Neymar's departure, the Brazilian Football Association's focus will be on developing new talents for the coming years. The national team must prepare for the next qualifying matches and the 2026 World Cup, where they once again have the ambition to shine. It is an opportunity for younger players to prove themselves and take over from a generational icon like Neymar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has Neymar announced?

Neymar has announced that he will officially end his international career with Brazil.

Who confirmed the end of Neymar's international career?

Neymar himself has confirmed his retirement from the national team.

Why has Neymar decided to retire from his international career?

Neymar indicated that he no longer wants to play for the national team and that his time in the national team is over.

What are the consequences of Neymar's departure for the Brazilian team?

Neymar's departure marks a symbolic changing of the guard and the focus will be on renewal and the next cycle for the team.

What are some highlights of Neymar's international career?

Neymar played 130 international matches, scored 80 goals, provided 59 assists and won Olympic gold in 2016 and the Confederations Cup in 2013.

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