Neymar: My time is up

Neymar confirmed his retirement from international football, announcing with tears that he had ended his career with the Brazilian national team following their exit from the Round of 16 at the World Cup to Norway. Speaking to journalists after his club Santos’ 4-2 victory over Venezuela’s Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday, Neymar said, “My time with the national team is over. I made history, and I was very happy, and I gave my blood and my life... but now I no longer want it.”

The all-time top scorer for Brazil joined the World Cup squad nearly three years after his last match for the national team, playing just 37 minutes across two games. His only goal, a penalty, was not enough to prevent Brazil’s early exit after a 1-2 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, and he announced tearfully, “It ends here.”

The 34-year-old Neymar remains under contract until the end of the year with Santos, which is fighting to avoid relegation. He scored two goals in his first match back, responding to critics with a mocking celebration after netting. The former Barcelona star celebrated by mimicking the dealing of playing cards after facing criticism for participating in a poker tournament while his teammates were playing a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela.

On Tuesday, he started on the bench for the second leg against the same opponent, while Santos easily secured their place in the Round of 16.