New York: Brazilian football icon Neymar has announced his retirement from international football after Brazil’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The emotional announcement marked the end of a remarkable 16-year international career for Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The 34-year-old forward came off the bench and scored a stoppage-time penalty, his final goal in Brazil colours, but it was not enough to prevent elimination as Norway advanced to the quarter-finals. After the final whistle, an emotional Neymar broke down in tears before confirming that his journey with the national team had come to an end.
Speaking after the match, Neymar said, “I tried, I tried… Now it’s over. I started here, I finished here,” referring to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he also made his Brazil debut against the United States in 2010.
Neymar retires as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, having registered 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 international appearances. Although he won numerous club trophies during spells with Santos FC, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C., his only major senior title with Brazil was the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Brazil’s defeat to Norway also marked the country’s earliest FIFA World Cup exit since 1990, extending the five-time champions’ wait for a sixth world title. If Brazil fail to win the 2030 World Cup, the drought will stretch to 28 years since their triumph in 2002.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the disappointment and hinted that the national team would now begin a period of transition, while Norway celebrated one of the greatest victories in its football history after Erling Haaland scored both goals to send his side into the quarter-finals.
Neymar’s retirement closes one of the most celebrated chapters in Brazilian football. Despite injuries limiting parts of his career, he leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the nation’s greatest players and one of the defining stars of his generation.
