Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario has urged Neymar not to rush into any decisions about retiring from international football following the Selecao’s exit from the World Cup.
In the wake of Brazil’s round-of-16 exit to Norway, Neymar said that his international career spanning across 16 years was over.
The 34-year-old was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the tournament and made two substitute appearances, netting a penalty against Norway.
Neymar became only the second Brazil player to score in four different World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026) after Pele, and retires as a legend for his nation.
He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 80 goals, while only Cafu (142) made more appearances for the Selecao than the former Barcelona star (130).
But Ronaldo has stepped in to offer counsel to Neymar, insisting that the heat of a tournament exit is no time to make life-changing decisions about his future with Brazil.
“Don’t demand anything from yourself and don’t decide anything now, you don’t need to,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Rede Ronaldo and TNT Sports Brasil.
“Nobody needs to resolve anything right now.”
A história da Seleção Brasileira é feita de grandes conquistas, mas também de momentos que fortalecem nosso caminho.
Hoje nos despedimos da Copa do Mundo, certos de que voltaremos ainda mais fortes.
Obrigado, torcida brasileira. pic.twitter.com/2sBMameewE
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) July 5, 2026
Ronaldo also highlighted the immense physical effort Neymar put in just to be present at the tournament in North America.
Before the World Cup, Neymar had not played for his nation since October 2023 due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Neymar had struggled with injury in the build-up to the World Cup, but did enough with boyhood club Santos to earn a spot in Ancelotti’s squad.
“He will return to his club, he will play again. We cannot forget that he is coming off two years of serious injury,” Ronaldo added.
“He arrived as a sacrifice for this World Cup. He will get the rhythm again. He will play 10, 15 games in a row. He will get back to scoring goals, he will regain his confidence.”
And while the next World Cup will be played when Neymar is 38, Ronaldo has backed the Brazil stalwart to play some part should he steer clear of injuries.
“In a little while he’ll be excited again and who knows, maybe Ancelotti will see him as an option for the Brazilian national team,” the 2002 World Cup winner said.
“He has the technical condition. Now, he needs to be physically well so he can be decisive.”
