Brazil’s Neymar retires from international football after World Cup defeat to Norway

One of Brazil’s greatest-ever footballers, Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football following the team’s shock defeat to Norway, a result that knocked them out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision brings the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year international career in which Neymar became Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances.

Also read | After Cape Verde scare, Argentina face tactical dilemma ahead of Egypt clash

His final match for Brazil came off the bench at MetLife Stadium—the same venue where he made his international debut back in 2010. Neymar even converted a penalty against Norway, but it wasn’t enough to stop Brazil from suffering a stunning World Cup exit.

End of Neymar era

The 34-year-old was devastated after the final whistle. Neymar broke down in tears as Brazil’s campaign came to an end, with emotional scenes showing several teammates trying to console him. Despite their efforts, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star was left heartbroken by the defeat.

“I tried,” Neymar said. “It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.” Neymar, 34, played his first game for Brazil on August 9, 2010 — a friendly against the US at the stadium in the Meadowlands in northern New Jersey. Against Norway, he scored on a penalty kick in the final minutes after subbing in off the bench.

Because of a nagging right calf injury, Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil's five games in the tournament. He also was on the field for 15 minutes against Scotland in group play.

Brazil's best player for more than a decade had been slowed by injuries in recent years that limited his impact. The country is now entering a period of transition, with the next generation taking over.

“We ask that people will have the patience with the new generation and support them from the get-go,” captain Marquinhos said.

Ancelotti urges fresh start

The defeat to Norway also extended Brazil’s dismal record against European teams at the FIFA World Cup. The five-time champions have not beaten a European opponent at the tournament since defeating Germany in the 2002 final.

Despite the heartbreaking exit, head coach Carlo Ancelotti urged his players to use the disappointment as motivation, calling the campaign "the start of a new cycle" for the national team.

"Obviously, everyone is deeply disappointed after what happened. I don't think we had a spectacular World Cup, but I believe we had a good tournament. I also think we deserved to win today's game," Ancelotti said after Brazil's 2-1 defeat at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Haaland ends Brazil’s dream

Brazil’s exit was largely shaped by a late surge from Norway, with Erling Haaland producing a match-winning display when it mattered most.

After a quiet game for much of the afternoon, Haaland came alive in the closing stages. The Manchester City striker headed home the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute after Andreas Schjelderup, who had come on at half-time, delivered a perfectly weighted cross. The goal sent Norway on course for a historic 2-1 victory and a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Also read | Why FIFA World Cup orbits around Argentina’s ‘North Star’ Messi

Schjelderup leapt onto Haaland's back in celebration after the opener, and the pair combined again before full-time as Haaland scored his second of the night. The brace took his tally to seven goals at the tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi as the World Cup's joint-highest scorer.

Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

For Brazil, the defeat marked a hugely disappointing end to a campaign in which they fell well short of expectations. The five-time world champions also saw their remarkable run of reaching at least the quarter-finals come to an end, having exited before that stage for the first time since the 1990 World Cup.

Brazil’s wait for their 6th World Cup title will now stretch beyond a quarter of a century, with their last title coming in Japan in 2002.