Neymar says his time playing for Brazil 'is over'

Neymar has confirmed his international retirement, tearfully declaring he was done playing for the Brazil national team following its World Cup defeat to Norway.

"My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood and my life ... but now, I don't want it anymore," Neymar told reporters after his club Santos defeated Venezuela's UCV 4-2 in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday.

Brazil's record goalscorer was included in the World Cup squad almost three years after he last played for the national team, and played only 37 minutes across two matches.

His only goal — a penalty — was not enough to prevent an early exit for Brazil after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16, and he tearfully declared: "It ends here."

"I tried, I tried. Now it's over," he said.

Neymar, 34, remains under contract with Santos — fighting to avoid relegation — until the end of the year.

He scored twice in his first match upon his return, responding to his critics with a tongue-in-cheek goal celebration.

Neymar celebrated with a card-dealing gesture — after facing criticism for taking part in a poker tournament while his teammates were playing a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela.

He started on the bench Tuesday for the return game against the same team, as Santos comfortably sealed a spot in the last 16.

The forward, who played in four World Cups, enjoyed a glittering club career with Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but won only one senior title with the national team, the 2013 Confederations Cup.

His international career yielded 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.

Ancelotti's plan

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is still recovering from his team's World Cup exit.

But, as the 67-year-old Italian turns to the next four years on the job, he pledges to closely watch youth division players and the country's squad at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to spearhead an overhaul.

Ancelotti also said in an interview with reporters at the headquarters of the Brazilian soccer confederation in Rio de Janeiro that the five-time World Cup winner doesn't need to copy defending champion Spain or high-powered France to win a sixth title.

"We don't need to copy — we need to learn where we can improve," Ancelotti said in the confederation's museum, where much of Brazil's national team silverware is kept. "Some positions are well-covered, both in defense and attack. We are looking for improvement and development among the midfielders. And the Olympics could be a crucial moment (to find players)."

Ancelotti, who returned to Brazil on Sunday, has heard a lot about the Tokyo Olympics gold medal match since he arrived. Five years ago, Brazil beat Spain 2-1 to defend its title. Eight of the Spanish players in that game, plus coach Luis de la Fuente, are now World Cup winners, while Brazil only took midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and striker Matheus Cunha from that team to the 2026 World Cup.

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