Following the Selecao’s shocking loss from the FIFA World Cup 2026, Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has formally resigned from international competition.
Following Brazil’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Norway on Sunday, experienced Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. announced his retirement from international football and was spotted in the stands with his family.
Neymar finished his international career as Brazil’s all-time top scorer.
Shortly after Erling Haaland’s late brace ruined Brazil’s dreams of winning a sixth World Cup, the 34-year-old forward concluded his international career. Neymar’s penalty in stoppage time was simply a consolation.
As reported by ESPN UK, Neymar told reporters, looking back on his time with the national team, “I tried, I tried. It’s over now. I started here; I finished here.”
Neymar’s first goal of the competition came in the tenth minute of extra time after Leo Ostigard was sent off for a tackle on Casemiro. Additionally, it increased his record as Brazil’s all-time top scorer to 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 games.
With his retirement, one of Brazilian football’s most renowned international careers comes to an end. During his stint with Brazil, Neymar helped the team hoist the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and earned the Olympic gold medal on home soil at the Rio 2016 Games.
Due to fitness issues, the veteran forward’s World Cup participation was doubtful until the very end of squad selection. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti included him in Brazil’s 26-man roster, hoping his experience would inspire another deep run in the competition.
Brazil’s sad exit
Rather, Brazil’s campaign came to an abrupt halt. Norway, emerging in the knockout stages with increased confidence, absorbed sustained Brazilian pressure before Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a spectacular header from Andreas Schjelderup’s cross.
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Shortly after, the Manchester City striker calmly scored his second goal of the evening to put Norway ahead 2-0 and tie Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot competition with seven goals.
Neymar cut the deficit with a penalty in stoppage time, but Brazil were unable to create a comeback, as Norway advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history.
Brazil suffered their eighth successive World Cup knockout loss to European opposition, as well as their earliest World Cup exit since 1990, while Neymar’s emotional farewell signalled the end of an era that defined Brazilian football for more than a decade.
