Neymar international retirement confirmed after Brazil’s World Cup exit to Norway, with the forward saying: “It’s over, it began here and it ends here.”

Brazil forward Neymar on Sunday, 5 July 2026, indicated that his international career had come to an emotional end following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Also read: England Beat Mexico, Norway Stun Brazil in FIFA Drama

The 34-year-old, who came on as a late substitute and scored a stoppage-time penalty, was unable to prevent Brazil’s exit as Erling Haaland’s late brace sealed a historic win for Norway and sent the five-time world champions out of the tournament.

Visibly devastated after the final whistle, Neymar was consoled by teammates on the pitch before delivering a brief and emotional remark that strongly suggested he would not return to international football.

“I tried, and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here, and it ends here,” Neymar said in an exchange with Brazil’s Globo Esporte.

The statement marks a poignant moment in the career of Brazil’s all-time top scorer, closing a chapter that began on the same stage where he first scored for his country in 2010, also at MetLife Stadium in a 2-0 win over the United States.

The retirement comes after a World Cup campaign disrupted by injury, limiting his involvement in the early stages of the tournament under Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti. He missed Brazil’s opening group matches before returning to feature in a 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami.

Once regarded as Brazil’s talisman for major tournaments, Neymar’s final World Cup appearance ended in disappointment as Brazil suffered yet another knockout-stage defeat to European opposition, extending a worrying trend in recent editions.

Despite flashes of individual brilliance, including his late penalty against Norway, Brazil were unable to respond to Haaland’s decisive finishing, which sent Norway into the quarter-finals and ended Brazil’s hopes of a sixth world title.

The forward’s emotional reaction after the match reflected the weight of expectation and physical setbacks that have defined the latter stages of his international career, with injuries repeatedly interrupting his continuity for club and country.

Also read: England Beat Mexico, Norway Stun Brazil in FIFA Drama

As Brazil reflect on another early exit, Neymar’s apparent farewell marks the end of one of the most influential and debated international careers in modern football.