Brazilian football star forward Neymar (34, Santos) has announced his retirement from the national team.

According to local daily Folha de S. Paulo on Tuesday (local time), Neymar made the remarks during a mixed zone interview after his club Santos defeated Venezuela's Universidad Central 4-2 in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana the previous night, stating, "My time with the Brazilian national team has now come to an end."

Neymar added, "I wrote history there and was very happy. I experienced many things. I shed blood and dedicated my life. I always fought and showed fighting spirit for the national team, but now it seems I don't want to do it anymore."

Based on FIFA records, Neymar scored a total of 80 goals for the national team, surpassing Pele (77 goals), Ronaldo (62 goals), Romario (55 goals), and Zico (48 goals) to become the all-time leading goalscorer for the Brazil national team.

He has played in four World Cups: starting with Brazil in 2014, followed by Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022, and this year's North and Central America World Cup.

His best finish at the World Cup was reaching the semifinals in 2014.

He led Brazil to the quarterfinals in the Russia and Qatar tournaments, and suffered elimination in the round of 16 at this year's tournament.

Neymar made a total of 130 appearances for the Brazil national team, becoming the third-highest capped player in Brazilian football history behind fullbacks Cafu (150 appearances) and Roberto Carlos (132 appearances).

Despite his brilliant individual career, he has had little luck winning major tournament titles.

The first and only championship trophy he lifted with the senior national team was the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

(Photo: Yonhap News)