Neymar Retires From Brazil After Norway Ends World Cup Run
Neymar's international career started at MetLife Stadium in 2010. On Sunday, it ended in the same building.
The 34-year-old announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team moments after Brazil's 2-1 Round of 16 loss to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, marking Brazil's earliest tournament exit since 1990.
How the Match Unfolded
Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway to send Brazil crashing out, with Neymar converting a stoppage-time penalty that amounted to nothing more than a consolation goal.
Bruno Guimaraes had missed an earlier penalty for Brazil during the match, a moment head coach Carlo Ancelotti later addressed directly.
Ancelotti said Neymar would have taken the spot-kick had he been on the field at that point, explaining that statistical analysis had given Guimaraes the responsibility instead.
📰 Read Also: Norway Beat Iraq 4-1 as Haaland's Brace Sends Them Top of Group I
What Neymar Said
Neymar broke down in tears on the pitch before speaking to Globo Esporte immediately after the final whistle.
"I tried, I tried," he said. "I started here at MetLife and finished here. Now it's all over."
He appeared in four World Cup tournaments across his career, but a title with Brazil eluded him throughout, including a devastating 2014 semifinal loss to Germany that he missed through injury.
📰 Read Also: Brazil 3-0 Haiti: Cunha Brace, Vinícius Cap Rout
The Numbers Behind His Career
Neymar retires as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals, three ahead of Pelé, and finishes with 130 caps, second only to Cafu's 142.
His stoppage-time penalty against Norway made him just the second Brazilian man, alongside Pelé, to score in four separate World Cups.
Because of a nagging right hamstring injury, Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil's five matches at this tournament, managing just 15 minutes against Scotland in the group stage before coming off the bench against Norway.
📰 Read Also: Brazil 1–1 Morocco — Saibari and Vinícius Trade Wonder Goals at MetLife Stadium
Tributes From Elsewhere in the Game
Zlatan Ibrahimović praised Neymar's career across Barcelona and PSG, saying he "did good" at both clubs and calling him "an amazing talent" despite acknowledging he fell short of winning a Ballon d'Or.
Ancelotti struck a similarly reflective tone after the match, saying Brazilian football needs "some young talent" and "high-level players" to emerge as the team enters a new era.
What Comes Next for Brazil
Norway advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the Mexico-England Round of 16 tie.
Brazil now enters a transition period without Neymar for the first time in 16 years, with Ancelotti signaling the next generation will need to step forward following what he called "a very disappointing result."
TL;DR
- Neymar announced his retirement from Brazil's national team after a 2-1 World Cup loss to Norway.
- He retires as Brazil's all-time top scorer with 80 goals and 130 caps, second only to Cafu.
- Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway, marking Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990.
- Neymar scored a stoppage-time penalty, becoming just the second Brazilian man to score in four World Cups.
- Norway advances to face the winner of Mexico vs England in the quarterfinals.
Read More
You might also like
Culture & Entertainment Reporter
Marcus Webb writes about music, film, TV, and digital culture. He tracks the trends shaping entertainment and the creators driving them.
