Neymar dismisses father's claim of 2030 World Cup return 

Brazil forward Neymar has brushed aside his father's suggestion that he could still return to the national team for the 2030 World Cup, insisting the decision rests with him alone.

Neymar replied to his father's comments with a light-hearted quip: "It's not my dad playing!"

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Earlier, during the sixth Neymar Jr. Project Institute Auction, Neymar's father had expressed hope that his son's international career might not be over.

"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 Sr, who is also his agent, said when talking to the media after the event.

Neymar's latest comments come just weeks after he announced on July 29 that his "time with Brazil has come to an end" following the Selecao's round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Norway.

The all-time leading Brazil scorer, who returned to the national team after nearly three years away, came off the bench in a 3-0 group-stage win over Scotland before scoring Brazil's consolation goal against Norway. As per Neymar, that was his final international appearance.

The Santos forward also remained non-committal about his club future beyond the end of the year, with his current contract expiring 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."

His uncertain future comes amid concerns over his fitness after a series of injuries in recent years, although Neymar insisted he has yet to decide whether to continue playing beyond the end of his current deal.