Neymar hints at international retirement after Brazil crash out of World Cup

Brazil forward Neymar has suggested that his international career may be over following the Selecao’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

 

The 34-year-old came off the bench at the MetLife Stadium and scored a stoppage-time penalty, but his goal was not enough to prevent Brazil’s elimination after Erling Haaland netted twice for Norway.

 

Speaking after the match, an emotional Neymar indicated that he had likely played his final game for the national team.

 

“I tried and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here and it ends here,” he told Brazil’s Globo Esporte.

 

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star broke down in tears after the final whistle and was consoled by teammates.

 

Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer. Coincidentally, he scored his first international goal at the same MetLife Stadium in a 2-0 victory over the United States in 2010.

 

The Santos forward made a surprise return to Brazil’s World Cup squad under head coach Carlo Ancelotti after battling a series of injuries in recent years.

 

He missed Brazil’s opening two group matches through injury but returned as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Scotland, his first international appearance since October 2023.

 

His appearance against Norway proved to be his second and final outing at the tournament, with Brazil’s World Cup campaign ending in the last 16.