RIO DE JANEIRO — Neymar has confirmed his retirement from international football, saying his time with Brazil’s national team ended after the country’s World Cup exit against Norway.
Neymar, 34, made the announcement Tuesday after Santos defeated Venezuela’s UCV 4-2 in the Copa Sudamericana.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood and my life… but now I don’t want it anymore,” Neymar told reporters.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer returned to the national team for the World Cup almost three years after his previous international appearance. He played 37 minutes across two matches and scored once, converting a penalty.
His goal could not prevent Brazil from losing 2-1 to Norway in the round of 16.
Neymar became emotional after the defeat and said, “It ends here.”
He remains under contract with Santos through the end of the year as the club fights to avoid relegation.
Neymar scored twice in his first match after returning to Santos and responded to criticism with a tongue-in-cheek goal celebration.
He used a card-dealing gesture after facing criticism for participating in a poker tournament while Santos teammates played a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela.
Neymar started on the bench Tuesday against UCV as Santos secured its place in the tournament’s round of 16.