Brazil forward, Neymar has signalled the end of his international career after the Seleção were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
The 34-year-old was introduced late in the match at MetLife Stadium and converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but his goal proved only a consolation as Erling Haaland struck twice to send Norway into the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer appeared emotional after the final whistle, collapsing in tears before being comforted by teammates.
Speaking briefly to Brazil’s Globo Esporte after the match, Neymar suggested that his journey with the national team had come to an end.
“I tried, and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here, and it ends here,” Neymar said.
The moment carried special significance for the Santos star, who scored his first goal for Brazil at the same stadium during a 2-0 friendly victory over the United States in 2010.
Neymar’s inclusion in head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad had raised eyebrows after the veteran attacker battled a series of injuries in recent years.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who returned to Santos earlier this year, missed Brazil’s opening two group-stage matches because of injury.
He made his long-awaited international return as a substitute in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami, marking his first appearance for the national team since October 2023.
His only other outing at the tournament came against Norway, a match that now appears to have brought his Brazil career to a close.
