Neymar has announced his retirement from international football after Brazil’s FIFA World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16.
The 34-year-old brought the curtain down on one of the most celebrated international careers in Brazilian football history shortly after the Selecao were knocked out by an inspired Norwegian side led by Erling Haaland, whose two goals secured his country’s place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Although Brazil’s tournament ended in disappointment, Neymar ensured he left one final mark on the global stage. The veteran forward converted a penalty deep into stoppage time to score Brazil’s consolation goal, making it his final contribution in the famous yellow shirt.
The strike also earned Neymar another place in the record books. He became only the second Brazilian player, after Pele, to score at four different FIFA World Cups, having found the net at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
Having battled injuries in the months leading up to the competition, Neymar was unable to play a significant role throughout Brazil’s campaign. He featured only twice as a substitute, first against Scotland in the group stage before making another appearance against Norway in what proved to be his final international match.
Speaking after the defeat, an emotional Neymar confirmed his decision to step away from international football.
“I tried; I tried. Now it’s over,” he told Globo.
“I started here; I finished here.”
Neymar leaves the national team as Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances. Only legendary right-back Cafu has represented Brazil more times, finishing his career with 142 caps.
Brazil’s elimination was filled with missed opportunities. Carlo Ancelotti’s side failed to capitalise on a first-half penalty after Bruno Guimaraes saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. Young forward Endrick also squandered a clear one-on-one chance after coming off the bench, with those missed moments proving costly.
The defeat marked Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit since 1990, when they were eliminated by Argentina in the Round of 16. Before this tournament, the five-time world champions had reached at least the quarter-finals in each of their previous eight World Cup appearances.
Norway also maintained an extraordinary record against Brazil. They remain the only national team Brazil have faced multiple times without ever recording a victory, with Norway’s record now standing at three wins and two draws from five meetings.
Despite the painful defeat, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti remained optimistic about the future and insisted the team deserved more from the contest.
“Obviously, everyone is deeply disappointed considering what happened,” Ancelotti said.
“I don’t think we had a spectacular World Cup, but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game.
“You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve.
“What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas.
“I think we have done a good job, but this is football and this is sport. You just have to deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat.
“I am very much used to this, and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward.”
While Brazil now turn their attention to rebuilding for the next international cycle under Ancelotti, Neymar’s retirement signals the end of a remarkable era. The former captain leaves as one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous Selecao shirt, with a legacy defined by unforgettable goals, dazzling moments and a host of individual records that may stand for years to come.
