Neymar has brushed aside his father’s suggestion that he could return for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, insisting the decision over his international future belongs to him alone.
The Brazil forward responded with a joke after Neymar Sr hinted that his son’s international career might not be over.
“It’s not my dad playing!” Neymar said.
Neymar Sr, who also acts as his son’s agent, made the comments during the sixth Neymar Jr. Project Institute Auction. He said the 34-year-old believed his Brazil career had ended but refused to rule out another comeback.
“He said, ‘I think for me it’s over.’ He thinks so. We’ve just come out of a World Cup, which was difficult for everyone. We’re talking about the next World Cup, four years from now. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. I can’t guarantee that he’s 100% done with the Selecao. Maybe he can come back.”
Neymar’s response comes only weeks after he announced on 29 July that his international career had ended following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer returned to the national team after almost three years away. He came off the bench in a 3-0 group-stage victory over Scotland before scoring Brazil’s only goal against Norway in what he described as his final appearance for the Selecao.
While Neymar appears firm on his international decision, he remains undecided about his club future. His contract with Santos expires in December.
“I’m not thinking about retirement,” Neymar said.
“I’m under contract at Santos until December, and I want to do my best for the club. After that, I’ll consider my options. Stay, leave, retire, keep playing… I don’t know. There’s still time until December. We’ll see.”
The forward said he will decide his next step once the current season ends.
