Sao Paulo: Neymar has appeared to confirm his retirement from international football, saying he no longer wishes to represent Brazil after the national team's disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The 34-year-old forward made the comments after Santos' 4-2 victory over Venezuela's Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday.“I think my time with the national team has already passed,” Neymar told reporters.“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.”The remarks reinforce comments Neymar made following Brazil's surprise 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16 on 5 July.After coming off the bench and scoring a stoppage-time penalty in that match, Neymar suggested his international career had come to an end.“I tried, I tried. Now it's over,” he said in an interview with Brazilian media after the match.Brazil's defeat marked the five-time world champions' earliest World Cup elimination since 1990 and extended their wait for a sixth world title.Neymar leaves the international stage as Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, having scored 80 goals and provided 58 assists in 130 appearances for the national team.Despite a distinguished club career with Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar's only major senior title with Brazil was the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.The striker represented Brazil in four World Cups and was considered one of the country's most influential players of his generation.While Neymar has not formally announced his retirement from football, his latest comments strongly suggest that his international career with Brazil has come to an end.
