Brazilian football icon Neymar has announced the end of his international career after Brazil’s shock 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward came off the bench late in the match at MetLife Stadium and converted a penalty deep into stoppage time. However, his goal proved to be only a consolation as Norway, inspired by a brace from Erling Haaland, secured a famous victory to eliminate the five-time world champions.
Visibly emotional after the final whistle, Neymar broke down in tears and was comforted by his teammates before confirming his decision to step away from international football.
“I tried and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here and it ends here,” Neymar told Brazil’s Globo Esporte in a brief post-match interview.
The stadium where Neymar bid farewell to the national team holds special significance in his career. It was at the same venue in 2010 that he scored his first goal for Brazil in a 2-0 victory over the United States.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer had endured a difficult run with injuries in recent years. Despite concerns over his fitness, head coach Carlo Ancelotti included the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who now plays for Santos, in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
An injury ruled Neymar out of Brazil’s opening two group-stage matches. He returned as a substitute in the Seleção’s 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami, marking his first international appearance since October 2023.
His final appearance for Brazil came against Norway on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on one of the most celebrated international careers in Brazilian football history.
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