Brazil forward Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup exit after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Seleção’s all-time leading scorer converted a late consolation penalty in a match that marked another painful elimination for Brazil. He featured in just two of Brazil’s five matches across the competition.
With the goal, Neymar moved into third place on Brazil’s all-time World Cup scoring list, joining Jairzinho, Vavá and Ademir Menezes on nine goals. Ronaldo Nazário leads the ranking with 15 goals, while Pelé sits second with 12.
After the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in New York, he confirmed it was his last appearance for the national team, bringing an end to a 16-year international career. The 34-year-old’s journey came full circle at the same venue where he made his senior debut in 2010, in a friendly against the United States.
“I tried,” Neymar said. “It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.”
It is a bittersweet ending to a career that saw Neymar score 80 goals in 129 appearances for the national team.
During his international career, Neymar won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Olympic silver at London 2012, and Olympic gold at Rio 2016, where he captained Brazil to their first-ever football title at the Games.
