Brazil forward Neymar has announced the end of his international career following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, who came on as a late substitute at the MetLife Stadium, scored a penalty deep into stoppage time, but it proved only a consolation as two goals from Erling Haaland secured Norway’s place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Neymar confirmed that he had played his final game for Brazil.
“I tried and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here and it ends here,” he told Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte.
Neymar broke down in tears after the final whistle and was comforted by teammates as Brazil’s World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, Neymar made his international breakthrough at the same stadium in 2010, scoring his first goal for the Seleção in a 2-0 friendly victory over the United States.
The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has struggled with injuries in recent years but earned a surprise recall to Brazil’s World Cup squad by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
An injury ruled him out of Brazil’s opening two group-stage matches. He returned as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami, marking his first international appearance since October 2023, before making what has now become his final appearance for the national team against Norway.
Neymar leaves international football as one of Brazil’s greatest players, bringing an end to a career that saw him become the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most influential figures of his generation.