Neymar Bids Farewell to International Football After World Cup Exit
Neymar's Emotional Retirement Announcement
In a poignant moment, Neymar announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's disappointing exit in the Round of 16 against Norway during the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday (IST).
Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil faced a surprising 2-1 defeat, with Neymar scoring a late penalty after being substituted in.
Overcome with emotion, Neymar revealed in an interview with Globo Esporte TV that he had played his last match for the Selecao. "I tried. I tried," he expressed, reflecting on his journey. "It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over."
During the tournament, Neymar made two appearances, both as a substitute. He had a brief stint in the group stage against Scotland and scored his only goal from the penalty spot against Norway.
The 34-year-old forward concluded his international career as Brazil's all-time leading scorer, netting 80 goals and providing 58 assists in 130 matches. His international accolades include participation in two Olympic Games, where he won a silver medal in 2012 and a gold medal in 2016. Despite a successful club career, his only major trophy with Brazil remains the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Neymar debuted for the national team in 2010 and played in four World Cups. He quickly made his mark by scoring in just 28 minutes during his first World Cup match against the USA.
He was a standout player during the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil but suffered a back injury that sidelined him in the quarter-finals. However, he redeemed himself by leading Brazil to Olympic gold in 2016, scoring the decisive penalty at the Maracana Stadium.
In the 2018 World Cup, Neymar struggled with injuries and Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals. His 2022 World Cup campaign was marred by an ankle injury, but he managed to shine in the quarter-finals against Croatia, only for Brazil to lose in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.