Brazil’s FIFA World Cup campaign came to a tragic end on Sunday night, bringing to an end one of the greatest international careers in the country’s history. Shortly after Brazil’s 2-1 Round of 16 loss to Norway at the MetLife Stadium, an emotional Neymar confirmed that he had played his last game for the Seleção, bringing the 16-year-old’s incredible journey in the famous yellow shirt to an end. The 34-year-old left the pitch in tears after scoring what was to be his last goal in Brazil, before announcing his retirement from international football as the country’s top scorer.
Neymar confirms his retirement from international football after a disappointing exit from the World Cup
Brazil entered the knockout stage hoping to extend their hunt for a sixth World Cup title, but Norway produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets with a 2-1 victory to eliminate Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland’s late double turned the game in Norway’s favor before Neymar converted a stoppage-time penalty, though it was nothing more than a consolation.
Brazil’s Neymar (10) celebrates after scoring a penalty during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
After the final whistle, the Brazilian player immediately sat down on the pitch and burst into tears as his teammates surrounded him to comfort the attacker. Emotions indicate more than the exclusion of Brazil, as Neymar already knew the announcement he wanted to make.
Brazil’s Neymar (10) reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Speaking after the match, Neymar confirmed that his international career is over. “I tried. I tried. It started here at Met Life Stadium, and I finished here. Now it’s over.” The announcement brought a curtain on a Brazilian career that began with his debut in 2010 and spanned four FIFA World Cups, two Olympic Games and more than ten years as the face of Brazilian football.
The mission to destroy Brazil’s history comes to an end
Neymar retired as Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer after scoring 80 goals while providing 59 assists in 130 international appearances over 16 years. He also finished as Brazil’s second-most caps, and is the only player to have represented the Seleção more than once.
Brazil’s Marquinhos, left, Neymar (10) and Raphinha react after losing to Norway during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
His international CV goes beyond goals alone. Neymar represented Brazil in four FIFA World Cups and participated in two Olympics, winning a silver medal in 2012 before leading his country to the long-awaited Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. His inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup was celebrated across the country following a long injury battle, but his campaign fell short. Neymar made just two appearances, playing 37 minutes in five games for Brazil. His only goal came from a stoppage-time penalty against Norway, and was ultimately the last goal of his international career.
The future of the club is uncertain as far as Ancelotti is concerned
Although Neymar has now confirmed the end of his time with Brazil, he stopped short of announcing his retirement from football. Earlier this year, when talking about his future, the actor admitted that he does not know how long he will continue to play professionally. “I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year. “Maybe when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now. We’ll see what my heart decides. It depends on what my heart says at the end of the year.” With Neymar’s international title closed, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted the defeat should represent the start of a rebuild rather than the end.
Brazil’s Neymar (10) walks off the field with teammates after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Appointed as Brazil head coach in May, Ancelotti ordered his departure despite overseeing Brazil’s first World Cup exit since 1990, the Seleção failing to reach the quarter-finals for 36 years. “We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “I believe that this loss is not the end but the beginning of a new cycle.” Norway’s victory sends them to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, where they will face the winner of the Round of 16 meeting between Mexico and England. For Brazil, however, the tournament will forever be remembered as the stage on which one of the country’s greatest footballers launched an incredible international career.