Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has officially announced his retirement from international football, ending a remarkable 16-year career with the Brazil national team and closing one of the most celebrated chapters in the country’s football history.

The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed his decision after his side’s 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs, putting an end to months of speculation about a potential return to the Seleção.

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Reflecting on his decision, Neymar said he had given everything for his country.
“My time with the national team is over. 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,” he said.

Neymar’s final appearance for Brazil came in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. Although he converted a stoppage-time penalty, Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat, ending their hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star retires as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, having scored 80 goals to surpass the legendary Pelé’s record of 77.

Since making his senior debut in 2010, Neymar represented Brazil in four FIFA World Cups, multiple Copa América tournaments, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Olympic Games.

He played a key role in Brazil’s 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup triumph and captained the nation to its first-ever Olympic men’s football gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games.

Despite his extraordinary achievements, injuries often hampered his international career. A calf injury sustained while playing for Santos ruled him out of Brazil’s opening two matches at the 2026 World Cup.

He later returned as a substitute against Scotland in the final group-stage match before making his final international appearance against Norway, scoring the last goal of his Brazil career.

Neymar’s retirement marks the end of an era for Brazilian football, leaving behind a legacy of record-breaking achievements, unforgettable moments and unwavering commitment to the famous yellow jersey.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has strongly defended Argentina against mounting criticism over the team’s conduct during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the Albiceleste have done nothing to deserve the level of hostility directed at them.

LArgentina’s journey to the World Cup final was overshadowed by controversy, with the South American side facing accusations of overly aggressive play, disciplinary issues and claims of receiving favourable refereeing decisions throughout the tournament.

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The criticism intensified after Argentina suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final. Following the match, several Argentine players turned their backs while Spain celebrated lifting the World Cup trophy, an action that sparked widespread backlash from football fans and pundits.

The final itself was also marred by heated confrontations between players, further fuelling debate over Argentina’s conduct on the biggest stage in football.

Responding to the growing criticism, Martinez dismissed the accusations and insisted the team had always treated opponents with respect.

Speaking to Foot Mercato, the Manchester United defender said the anti-Argentina narrative was unfair.

“The anti-Argentina campaign? I’m a little annoyed because they have no real reason to hate us.

“They say we’re arrogant, but that says more about them than about us. We have always been very respectful towards every opponent we have faced.”

Martinez’s comments echo those of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who also defended Argentina’s World Cup campaign despite the controversies that surrounded the team.

Fernandez was sent off late in the final after picking up a second yellow card for a challenge on Spain’s Pau Cubarsi. Meanwhile, teammate Leandro Paredes later came under FIFA investigation over his conduct after the match.

Argentina also attracted criticism after displaying a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentine”) following their semi-final victory over England, a gesture that reignited political tensions surrounding the disputed South Atlantic islands.

Despite the criticism, Fernandez maintained that the players represented Argentina with pride and gave everything for the national team throughout the tournament.

In a message shared on Instagram, the Chelsea midfielder said the squad had always represented the country “in the best possible way,” adding that football is not only about winning trophies but also about fighting with commitment, pride and determination for the national jersey.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have unveiled a striking new 10-star jersey ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), celebrating the team’s unparalleled success on the African continent.

The newly designed kit features 10 stars encircling the team’s badge, with each star representing one of Nigeria’s 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.

The symbolic design reflects the Super Falcons’ legacy as the most successful side in the history of the competition.

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The nine-time defending champions first wore the special jersey during Thursday’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, giving supporters a glimpse of the new look ahead of the continental showpiece.

Justin Madugu’s team will now turn its attention to Morocco, where it will be aiming to capture a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and further cement its dominance in African women’s football.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on Saturday, with Nigeria opening its title defence against tournament debutants Malawi on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

See the jersey below

WAFCON 2026: Iconic Super Falcons 10-Star Jersey