Neymar has officially called it quits on his international career following Brazil’s heartbreaking exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. He made the announcement right after Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, bringing an incredible 16-year journey with the Seleção to a close.
The 34-year-old shared his decision just moments after the final whistle, stating that his time with the national team had come to an end. This emotional goodbye was marked by a late penalty he scored, which turned out to be the last goal of his international career. Brazil’s departure from the tournament also signifies the end of an era for one of the nation’s most celebrated footballers.
After the match, Neymar took a moment to reflect on his journey with a heartfelt message, “I tried, It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.”
The stadium held a special place in his heart, as it was also the venue for his Brazil debut against the United States on August 9, 2010. In the match against Norway, he came off the bench and netted a stoppage-time penalty, marking his final appearance for the national team.
A Career of Records Ends With an Emotional Goodbye From Neymar
Neymar's last World Cup was marred by fitness issues. A calf injury hampered his contributions throughout the tournament, forcing him to come off the bench in two matches. Even though he made a comeback to support Brazil, he couldn't stop the shocking exit against Norway. His late goal sparked a flicker of hope, but ultimately, Brazil's World Cup journey came to an unexpected halt.
Nevertheless, Neymar leaves behind an incredible legacy, standing as Brazil's all-time leading men's goalscorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances since his senior debut in 2010. Over the next 16 years, he became the face of the national team, shouldering the hopes of millions across four FIFA World Cups.
While the elusive World Cup title slipped through his fingers, Neymar celebrated several significant victories in the Brazilian jersey. He played a key role in Brazil's triumph at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and later captained the squad to its first Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, having previously secured silver at the London Olympics in 2012. These accomplishments firmly established him as one of the most pivotal players of his generation in Brazil.
Yet, each World Cup brought its own set of disappointments. His 2014 campaign was cut short by injury before Brazil faced a historic semi-final defeat. In 2018, Brazil bowed out in the quarter-finals. The 2022 tournament ended in heartbreak during a penalty shootout, despite Neymar finding the net in extra time. Finally, in 2026, Brazil's journey concluded in the Round of 16 against Norway.
