Brazilian football star Neymar announced the end of his international career following Brazil’s 2–1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tearfully at MetLife Stadium in New York, he said: “I tried, I tried. Now it is over. I started here, and I am ending it here.”
The 34-year-old forward scored Brazil’s only goal in the 90+10th minute from the penalty spot, but two goals from Erling Haaland secured Norway’s victory and eliminated the Seleção from the tournament. This exit marks Brazil’s earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.
After the final whistle, Neymar sat on the pitch in tears. Brazil players gathered to comfort him, and later he went to the stands to be with his wife, Bruna Biancardi, and his son, Davi Lucca.
Neymar made his international debut in the summer of 2010 in a friendly match against the United States at MetLife Stadium, where he also scored his first international goal. Now, after 16 years with the national team, he brings his international career to an end.
With 80 goals, he is Brazil’s all-time top scorer, surpassing Pelé by three goals. His goal against Norway also made him only the second Brazilian player after Pelé to score in four separate World Cups.
In total, Neymar earned 130 caps for Brazil, making him the second-most capped player in the nation’s history after Cafu, who has 142 appearances. In recent years, repeated injuries significantly limited his availability and impact on the national team.
In the 2026 World Cup, Neymar played only two matches due to a chronic right calf injury 15 minutes against Scotland and a substitute appearance from the 67th minute in the match against Norway.
With Neymar’s retirement, one of the most significant eras in Brazil’s national team history comes to an end, as the country now enters a new phase in which a new generation is expected to take over leadership of the Seleção.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
