Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior has confirmed his retirement from international football after Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The experienced attacker came on as a second-half substitute during Brazil’s surprising 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 at MetLife Stadium. Neymar converted a late penalty to score Brazil’s only goal, but it was not enough to prevent their exit from the tournament.
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Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland was the hero of the match, netting both goals to send his country into the quarterfinals, where they will face England on Saturday, July 11.
Neymar had a limited role throughout Brazil’s World Cup campaign after battling back from a calf injury sustained during the group stage. Despite returning to action, he was unable to help the five-time world champions progress beyond the Round of 16.
Speaking to Globo after the match, the 34-year-old suggested his international career had come to an end.
“I tried, I tried. Now, it’s over. I started here; I finished here.”
Interestingly, Neymar made his senior debut for Brazil at MetLife Stadium in August 2010, making his final World Cup appearance at the same venue. His penalty against Norway on July 5, 2026, is expected to stand as his last goal for the national team.
Neymar leaves the Selecao as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 international goals, ending a remarkable career that spanned more than a decade and included numerous appearances at major international tournaments.