Neymar announces international retirement: 'My time with the national team is over'

Neymar has confirmed he is stepping away from international football after a lengthy run with Brazil, making the announcement in the wake of the national team's recent exit from the FIFA World Cup tournament. Neymar said, 'My time with the national team is over.'

The decision brings to a close a high-profile international career that featured a wealth of goals and assists across many years. The forward also addressed reports of unrest within the Brazil squad, categorically rejecting suggestions of dressing-room criticism. At club level, Neymar played a role in Santos' recent Copa Sudamericana victory, a result noted alongside his international announcement.

In confirming his retirement from the Seleção, Neymar framed the move as definitive: 'My time with the national team is over.' The comment was offered following Brazil's elimination from the World Cup, an outcome that preceded his statement. He did not attach further qualifiers to the remark, presenting it as the definitive end of his national-team involvement.

Reports that suggested tension among players were directly confronted by Neymar, who dismissed accounts of dressing-room criticism. He made clear that such narratives did not reflect his perspective, rejecting those claims while speaking about his departure. The player’s rebuttal accompanied the broader announcement, ensuring that questions about internal dynamics were addressed alongside the retirement itself.

The announcement arrives after Brazil's recent World Cup exit, a result that served as the immediate context for his decision. Neymar's departure therefore follows that tournament elimination and was communicated publicly in its aftermath. Observers noted the timing, though Neymar confined his remarks to the single clear statement about ending his time with the national side.

Alongside news of his international retirement, Neymar's contribution at club level was highlighted by his role in Santos' Copa Sudamericana success. The victory for Santos was mentioned in coverage of the announcement, tying together his club achievement and his international farewell. That club result was presented as a recent positive moment amid the news of his national-team departure.

Neymar leaves the Brazil national team having accumulated numerous goals and assists over his international tenure, a record that underpinned his high profile in world football. He has closed this chapter with a short, unequivocal message: 'My time with the national team is over.' The statement marks the end of his era with the Seleção and was delivered alongside denial of reported dressing-room disputes and mention of his club-level success.