Neymar: Brazil career in numbers
(Courtesy :Â Getty Images)
The forward confirmed his retirement from the national team.
Neymar has officially announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team after a disastrous FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.
Neymar reaffirmed his intention to retire from the Selecao after the team’s round-of-16 elimination to Norway in the World Cup. Reflecting on his lengthy and illustrious career in the renowned yellow shirt, the 34-year-old stated that he had no regrets about his commitment to the national cause after carrying a nation’s dreams for years.
The decision symbolises the end of an era for Brazilian football. The country’s all-time greatest goalscorer shifts his emphasis fully to club football with his hometown team.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life, I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore.” – Neymar.
This final confirmation came after a highly emotional scene at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A clearly distressed Neymar burst into tears on the pitch following Brazil’s World Cup exit.
Neymar’s time at Brazil
Neymar retires as one of Brazil’s best footballers of all time. Since making his senior debut in 2010, he has been the face of Brazilian football for more than a decade. He carried the expectations of a country yearning to restore its place at the top of the international football rankings.
Neymar competed for Brazil in three FIFA World Cups before the 2026 edition, as well as many Copa America competitions, the FIFA Confederations Cup, and the Olympics.
He was a significant figure in Brazil’s victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He led the squad to the men’s football gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ending the country’s lengthy wait for an Olympic crown in the sport.
One of his most memorable international successes was surpassing Pele to become Brazil’s all-time top men’s goalscorer. He finished with 80 goals for Brazil, three more than Pele (77 goals).
Despite his individual accomplishments, he has yet to win the FIFA World Cup. Injuries derailed his campaigns in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Meanwhile, Brazil’s dreams of winning a sixth World Cup were dashed in 2026.
Neymar’s career in numbers for Brazil
Games: 130
Goals: 80
Assists: 59
Trophies won
FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013
How many goals did Neymar score for Brazil?
He has scored 80 goals for them in 130 games.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.