Retirement from the Brazilian National Team, Neymar: I've Given It My All

JAKARTA - Forward Neymar has again stated emphatically that he has retired from the Brazilian national team. Neymar, who now plays for Santos, claims to have given everything for 16 years with the Selecao.

Neymar chose to close his career in the national team even though he is still 34. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who still defend the Portugal and Argentina national teams in their twilight years.

Messi was 39 when he led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final. Messi et al failed to defend the title won at the 2022 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain.

Neymar himself was unable to lead Brazil to the top. Brazil was only able to survive until the last 16 after being forced to surrender 2-1 by Norway. Neymar who played for 37 minutes scored a goal that narrowed Brazil's defeat.

After the match, Neymar couldn't hold back his tears. At that time, he stated that the match against Norway was the last time after 16 years of playing for Brazil.

Neymar reiterated his decision to retire from the national team after leading Santos to a 4-2 win over Universidad Central in the domestic competition. He said he would not play for the national team again.

"My time for the national team is over," Neymar said, quoted by The Sun.

"I have made history. I feel happy. I have given everything, my life. Of course, I always fought to the end for the yellow jersey. But now I don't want it anymore," said the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who made the 2026 World Cup his last stage.

Neymar's return to the national team and coach Carlo Ancelotti's decision to take him to the 2026 World Cup was indeed a surprise. Although still recognized as Brazil's best forward for now, Neymar has only recovered from the injuries that have repeatedly plagued him.

Ancelotti still brought Neymar because he is one of the senior players besides captain Marquinhos and midfielder Casemiro.

At the World Cup, Neymar finally appeared when Brazil won 3-0 over Scotland in the group stage. This was the first appearance of the world's most expensive player when he was brought in by PSG from Barca after an injury that hurt him.

Yes, Neymar more often undergoes examinations and treatments after suffering an ACL injury in 2023. Since then, Neymar's performance has declined and PSG let him go to Al-Hilal. At the rich Saudi club, he gets a huge salary of up to 78 million pounds per year.

Despite being paid high wages, Neymar only played seven times during the two competition seasons due to injury and fitness factors. The club eventually let Neymar go to Santos, the club that raised him.

Neymar has been playing for the national team for quite some time since making his debut in 2010. However, he failed to bring Brazil to the best achievement.

Neymar's highest achievement was when Brazil became the 2013 Confederations Cup champion. On the other hand, in the junior national team, he won the trophy by winning the CONMEBOL U-20 Cup or the South American U-20 Cup and won gold at the 2016 Olympics.

Failing to achieve achievements in the national team, but Neymar managed to break the record of the legend, Pele. He was able to score 80 goals in 130 appearances, making him the top scorer in Brazilian football of all time. He passed Pele's record in 2023.

Even though he was not shining with Canarinho, he was successful at the club. Neymar, who was once contested by Madrid and Barca while still at Santos, has collected 379 goals at various clubs.

He also won the Champions League with Barca. Neymar has won various trophies with Santos, Barca, and PSG.