Neymar confirmed he no longer wants to represent Brazil, ending a celebrated international career after 130 appearances, 80 goals and an emotional World Cup last-16 exit.
Key Points
- Neymar said he no longer wants to play for Brazil, appearing to confirm his retirement from international football.
- The forward reiterated sentiments expressed after Brazil's World Cup last-16 defeat to Norway, saying his time with the national team was over.
- Brazil's all-time leading scorer ends his international career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.
Neymar appeared to confirm his retirement from international soccer, saying he no longer wanted to play for Brazil, weeks after suggesting his international career had ended following their World Cup last-16 loss to Norway.
The 34-year-old forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, made the comments after Santos beat Venezuela's Universidad Central 4-2 in a Copa Sudamericana match late on Tuesday.
"I think my time with the national team has already passed. 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," he told reporters.
Emotional World Cup Exit
The remarks reinforced comments he made in the immediate aftermath of Brazil's 2-1 World Cup defeat by Norway on July 5.
After coming on as a substitute and scoring a stoppage-time penalty, Neymar suggested his international career was over during an interview with Brazilian broadcaster ge.
"I tried, I tried. Now it's over," he said.
Neymar was visibly emotional after the defeat, which marked Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990 and extended the five-times champions' wait for a record-extending sixth title.
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Remarkable International Record
The forward, who played in four World Cups, enjoyed a glittering club career with Santos, Barcelona and Paris St Germain, but won only one senior title with the national team, the Confederations Cup in 2013.
His international career yielded 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.
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Source: Rediff.com
