An emotional Neymar announced that his international career for Brazil is “over” following the national team’s shocking elimination by Norway at the 2026 World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward came on as a 67th-minute substitute with Brazil already trailing 2-0 in the round of 16 tie but was unable to spark a full comeback for the Seleção. While Neymar managed to convert a penalty kick deep into added time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, it ultimately proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal in what will stand as his final appearance in the iconic yellow shirt.
The venue of his final international heartbreak held deep poetic significance for the legendary forward, a detail he noted immediately after the final whistle.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, I finished here,” Neymar stated in a post-match interview with TV Globo.
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Neymar’s senior international debut for Brazil took place at the very same New Jersey stadium in August 2010, where he scored his first international goal in a 2-0 friendly victory over the United States.
Across the sixteen years that followed, he cemented his status as one of the greatest talents in Brazilian history, overtaking Pelé to become the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer with 80 goals. His 130 caps place him second on the country’s all-time appearances list, trailing only legendary full-back Cafu’s record of 142.
Neymar’s inclusion in the 2026 World Cup roster capped off a grueling road to recovery. Prior to this summer’s tournament in North America, he had not featured for the national team since 2023 due to a series of severe injury setbacks.
His playing time in the tournament was heavily managed by the coaching staff. Before the knockout stage, his only minutes on the pitch came as a late substitute during Brazil’s final group stage match, a 3-0 victory over Scotland.
The tournament marked Neymar’s fourth career World Cup appearance, having previously carried the hopes of his nation during the 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. While he walks away without the elusive World Cup trophy, his retirement marks the definitive end of an era for modern Brazilian football.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Neymar announces his RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL. 👋🏼🇧🇷
“I tried. I tried. It started here at Met Life stadium and I finished here. It is now over”, Ney said after the game.
His story with the Brazilian national team is over. pic.twitter.com/vPIFflyJHq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2026
