Video: Neymar announces retirement from international football
Abdullateef Fowewe
Brazil legend, Neymar Jr has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 Round of 16 defeat to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, bringing to a close a 16-year career in which he scored 80 goals in 129 caps to become Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
In an emotional post-match statement at the same stadium where he made his senior Brazil debut in 2010, Neymar said, “I tried. I tried. It started here and I finished here. It is now over.”
The forward had come on as a substitute and converted a late penalty in stoppage time reportedly his final international goal after Norway’s Erling Haaland had struck twice to secure the upset.
Neymar burst onto the international scene with a debut and first senior goal at MetLife Stadium in 2010 and leaves the Seleção as its leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances.
Over a decorated-but-often-fractured international career he helped Brazil to the 2013 Confederations Cup title, captained the side at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won Olympic gold in 2016 and lifted the Copa América in 2019 (runner-up in 2015 and 2021).
He was widely praised for his flair and decisive moments, while critics frequently pointed to injuries and perceived underperformance in World Cup tournaments.
Neymar’s stoppage-time penalty made the scoreline 2-1 but came too late to alter the outcome.
After the final whistle, footage showed a visibly emotional Neymar in the yellow jersey applauding the crowd and walking the pitch; teammate Vinícius Júnior consoled him with an embrace and a kiss on the cheek.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti described the defeat as “the beginning of a new cycle” and confirmed he would remain in charge, acknowledging questions will follow over selections and tactics amid wider debate about the squad’s future.
Neymar’s international retirement marks the end of an era for Brazil.
