Brazilian football star Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to a glittering 16-year career with the national team.
The 34-year-old scored a stoppage-time penalty at New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but the late goal was not enough to prevent Brazil from crashing out of the tournament.
An emotional Neymar broke down in tears after the final whistle before confirming that he had played his last match for Brazil.
“I tried my best. I tried again,” Neymar said after the match. “I started here as a national team player, and I end here. It’s over now.”
He retires as one of Brazil’s greatest-ever players, finishing with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 international appearances. During his career, Neymar surpassed Brazilian legend Pelé to become the country’s all-time leading scorer.
The defeat carried symbolic significance, coming at the same stadium where Neymar made his Brazil debut in August 2010 as an 18-year-old Santos FC forward. On that occasion, he scored in a 2-0 victory over the United States, announcing himself as Brazil’s next football superstar.
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Sixteen years later, the same venue hosted his final appearance in the famous yellow shirt. Introduced as a second-half substitute, Neymar converted a late penalty to briefly raise Brazilian hopes, but the comeback fell short as Norway progressed to the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s elimination also marked its earliest World Cup exit in 36 years, having failed to reach the last eight for the first time since the 1990 tournament.
Widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, Neymar enjoyed successful spells in Europe before moving to the Middle East and later returning to Santos in an attempt to revive his career. However, persistent injuries have limited his playing time in recent years.
His road to the 2026 World Cup was equally challenging. After struggling with fitness and a calf injury that briefly ruled him out, Neymar returned late in the tournament, making substitute appearances before featuring again in Brazil’s final match.
Despite appearing in four World Cups—2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026- Neymar never lifted football’s biggest prize. His maiden World Cup on home soil ended in heartbreak after suffering a spinal injury in the quarter-finals, while injuries also disrupted his campaigns in Russia and Qatar.
Although he bows out without a World Cup title, Neymar leaves behind one of the most decorated international careers in Brazilian football history, remembered for his goals, creativity, and record-breaking achievements with the five-time world champions.
