Neymar ends international career with Brazil after World Cup exit

PARIS, France — Brazilian forward Neymar has announced he is stepping down from the Brazil national team, ending a career that made him the Selecao's all-time leading scorer. The 33-year-old said the time had come to leave the international stage, adding that he had "fought for the shirt, given everything I had, and shed blood and life for that crest, but I no longer want to continue." The decision comes after Brazil were eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup by Norway, a tournament Neymar had described as his last World Cup. He was used sparingly during the competition, starting from the bench because, he said, he was not fully fit physically. In 130 appearances for Brazil, Neymar scored 80 goals, surpassing previous record holders on the national team's all-time scoring list. He also recorded 58 assists, won the 2013 Confederations Cup and played in three World Cups. Neymar, who returned to Santos this year after spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, did not immediately announce his club plans.