Brazilian football icon Neymar has announced the end of his international career following Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the curtain down on one of the most celebrated careers in the history of the Seleção.
The 34-year-old made the emotional announcement after Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in their Round of 16 clash at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Neymar came off the bench late in the match and converted a penalty deep into stoppage time, but his goal proved only a consolation as Erling Haaland’s first-half brace secured a famous victory for Norway and ended Brazil’s hopes of a sixth World Cup title.
Speaking briefly to Brazilian broadcaster Globo Esporte after the match, the visibly emotional forward confirmed 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 Brazilian star broke down in tears after the final whistle and was consoled by teammates as he left the pitch.
The moment carried symbolic significance, as MetLife Stadium was also where Neymar scored his first goal for Brazil in a 2-0 victory over the United States in August 2010. Sixteen years later, the same venue became the stage for his final appearance in the famous yellow jersey.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has endured an injury-plagued final phase of his international career. Persistent fitness problems kept him out of action for much of the past two years and prevented him from featuring in Brazil’s opening two group-stage matches at the World Cup.
Despite concerns over his fitness, head coach Carlo Ancelotti included the veteran attacker in his World Cup squad. Neymar made his long-awaited return to international football as a substitute during Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland in the group stage, marking his first appearance for the national team since October 2023.
His only other appearance at the tournament came against Norway, where he scored his farewell goal from the penalty spot.
Neymar leaves international football as one of Brazil’s greatest-ever players. Since making his senior debut in 2010, he became the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and played a central role in multiple major tournaments, including three FIFA World Cups and several Copa América campaigns.
At club level, Neymar enjoyed remarkable success with Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before returning to his boyhood club, Santos, where he currently plays.
Although Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, Neymar’s legacy remains secure as one of the most gifted footballers of his generation and one of the finest players ever to represent the five-time world champions.