"I'm already leaving the national team and No. 10 is yours" - Brazilian attacker says he's set to inherit iconic shirt from Neymar
Brazil youngster Rodrygo has revealed that Neymar is preparing to retire from the national team and wants him to take up the No. 10 jersey.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, who is also the second-highest goal scorer for Brazil, could play his last FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year if the Real Madrid winger's revelation is anything to go by.
The 30-year-old forward also seems to have decided who will inherit the legendary No. 10 jersey after him. Before Neymar, the No. 10 shirt was donned by many legendary Brazilian players, including Pele, Ronaldinho, and Kaka.
Going by Rodrygo's comments, the former Barcelona star believes the 21-year-old is now the rightful heir to the legendary Brazil No.10 jersey.
The Real Madrid winger played a crucial role in the Spanish giants' La Liga and Champions League triumphs in the recently-concluded season.
Rodrygo scored two crucial goals in the UCL semifinal against Manchester City to help Real Madrid complete a comeback in injury time and make it to the final against Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to ESPN, Rodrygo revealed what his senior teammate told him during the national team camp about his retirement. He said:
''Neymar said: 'I'm already leaving the national team and 10 is yours'. I didn't even know what to say to him. I was embarrassed, I giggled and didn't even know what to say properly. I told him that he has to play some more, that I didn't want to now and stuff. And then he had a laugh.''
The PSG winger made his national team debut at the age of 18 in 2010 against the United States of America. He scored his first goal in the debut game itself, and then went on to take his tally to 74 goals in 119 games for his national team.
Neymar has a chance of World Cup glory in Qatar with Rodrygo, Vinicius and a young Brazil squad
Five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil have a decent chance of World Cup glory in Qatar this year with a young and talented squad.
The last time a men's World Cup was played in North America, over 94,000 fans watched Brazil lift the trophy at the Rose Bowl in LA 🏟️ 🏆 https://t.co/mDYNYIbccM
Many of the players in the team like Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior, Casemiro and Rodrygo tasted Champions League glory with Madrid this year. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus and Neymar won league titles with Manchester City and PSG.
The Brazilian team is ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings and with this young talented squad has the capability to win the Selecao's sixth World Cup.