Brazilian superstar Neymar has confirmed that his international career is over following Brazil’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the curtain down on one of the most celebrated careers in the nation’s football history.
The 34-year-old announced after Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16.
Neymar came off the bench in the 67th minute with Brazil already trailing 2-0 but was unable to inspire a comeback.
Although he converted a penalty deep into stoppage time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation as the Selecao crashed out of the tournament.
Speaking to TV Globo after the match, the forward confirmed that he had played his final game for Brazil.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, I finished here.”
Neymar’s international journey fittingly ended at the same stadium where it began.
He made his senior debut for Brazil at MetLife Stadium in August 2010, scoring in a 2-0 friendly victory over the United States.
Sixteen years later, he leaves the national team as one of the country’s greatest-ever players.
During his international career, Neymar became Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, scoring 80 goals for his country.
He also earned 130 international caps, placing him second on Brazil’s all-time appearance list behind legendary captain Cafu, who made 142 appearances.
Neymar had not represented Brazil since 2023 after battling a series of injuries.
He returned to the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making his first appearance as a substitute during Brazil’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Scotland.
His only other appearance at the tournament came against Norway, a match that ultimately marked the end of both Brazil’s World Cup campaign and his international career.
The tournament was Neymar’s fourth FIFA World Cup, having previously represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.
Although he never lifted football’s biggest prize, he leaves the national team as one of Brazil’s most influential players, remembered for his goals, creativity and remarkable contribution over more than a decade in the famous yellow shirt.
With his retirement, Brazil bids farewell to one of the finest footballers of his generation and one of the greatest players in the country’s rich football history.
