sports

Neymar Retires From Brazil Duty After 16-Year Career

Published

2 months ago

July 29, 2026

Neymar retires from Brazil after 16 years, ending a record-breaking international career as the Seleção’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 16-year career with the Brazil national team after the country’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Also read: Vinícius Jr, Harry Kane Lead 2027 Contract Uncertainty

The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed that he would no longer represent the Seleção following months of speculation over his future with the national side.

“My time with the national team is over,” Neymar told reporters after Santos’ Copa Sudamericana victory over Universidad Central.

“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’s final appearance for Brazil came in the World Cup round of 16 against Norway, where he scored a stoppage-time penalty. However, the goal could not prevent Brazil from suffering a 2-1 defeat and exiting the tournament.

The retirement closes one of the most decorated international careers in Brazilian football history.

Neymar retires from Brazil as the country’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, having scored 80 goals, surpassing the previous record held by Brazilian legend Pelé, who finished his career with 77 international goals.

Since making his senior debut in 2010, Neymar represented Brazil at four World Cups and featured in major competitions including the Copa América, FIFA Confederations Cup and Olympic Games.

The forward played a key role in Brazil’s success at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and captained the team to its first Olympic men’s football gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games.

Despite his achievements, injuries affected several stages of Neymar’s international career. At the 2026 World Cup, a calf injury suffered while playing for Santos forced him to miss Brazil’s opening two matches before returning as a substitute in the group stage.

His final tournament appearance came against Norway, where his late penalty marked the last goal of his international career.

Neymar leaves the Seleção after becoming one of Brazil’s most influential players of the modern era, combining individual records with memorable moments on the international stage.

Also read: Oshoala Apologises After Super Falcons’ WAFCON Defeat

His departure now opens the door for a new generation of Brazilian talents to take responsibility for the country’s future campaigns.

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Mariam Balogun

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Opinion

Why Are Football Fans Expecting Trophy Haul from Man City’s 114 Breaches?

Published

5 hours ago

September 30, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Tai Emeka Obasi,

It is exceedingly terrible for clubs operating in a league as supremely elite as the English Premier League, EPL, to fraudulently cheat themselves to massive success.

Also read: NFF Appeals CAF Ruling on Edo Queens’ WAFU-B Victory

Rules are rules, and supposedly responsible club managements should comply with them in administering a game termed the beautiful game.

Manchester City is currently in the eye of the storm for all the wrong reasons.

A whopping 115 breaches were brought against the club, with reports now indicating that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of them.

The club, however, maintains that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has appealed to the fans to remain calm and faithful, insisting that the club will continue to defend its position and pursue the available legal process.

According to reports, Manchester City is expected to appeal the verdict. The sanctions have not yet been announced, and the possible consequences could include a heavy fine, points deduction, stripping of titles or even relegation.

From the available reporting, however, there is no basis for football fans to start celebrating the prospect of receiving Manchester City’s trophies.

Even if titles were eventually stripped, the relevant period under investigation is 2009 to 2018.

During that period, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, as well as three League Cups, in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18.

That immediately puts a different complexion on the matter.

For instance, Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool finished second in 2013/14.

But whether those titles would actually be reassigned to the runners-up is another matter entirely.

There is no automatic rule that says a stripped title simply moves to the team that finished second. Any such outcome would depend on the eventual sanction imposed by the relevant authorities.

The same applies to Arsenal and the League Cup. Arsenal were beaten by City in the 2018 final, but that does not mean Arsenal would automatically inherit the trophy if City were sanctioned.

Expert opinion has suggested that the eventual punishment could include a substantial financial penalty and a huge points deduction, potentially severe enough to threaten City with relegation.

But until the sanction is formally determined, nobody can say with certainty what punishment Manchester City will receive.

For Gunners fans, therefore, we should lower our expectations from City’s debacle. Even if Manchester City are eventually found guilty after the appeal process and even if they are relegated, Arsenal will not stroll to this season’s title.

Our last match against Brighton and Hove Albion is a huge warning that our squad is not as complete as it is generally acclaimed to be.