Neymar ends international career in tears after Brazil's World Cup elimination

Neymar announced the end of his international career Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, minutes after Brazil’s elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Norway (1-2). The Santos FC forward was 34 years old with 130 caps to his name.

The circle closed where it all began: it was on this same New Jersey pitch that Neymar made his international debut in 2010. Sixteen years later, he left the field in tears, collapsing on the grass at the final whistle before speaking in the mixed zone. “I tried. I tried with all my strength. Everything started here, at MetLife Stadium, when I made my international debut in 2010. And today, it ends in the same place. It’s over now, I won’t wear this shirt anymore,” he said, his voice breaking.

Coming on in the second half, Neymar had nonetheless attempted to turn the tide. In the 100th minute, he calmly converted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 2-1, but Brazil failed to equalize. On the other side, a brace from Erling Haaland was enough for a solid Norway to eliminate an unrecognizable Seleção.

Recalled to the squad by Carlo Ancelotti to mentor the new generation after a long absence due to injuries, Neymar takes his bow with a statistical record unmatched in Brazilian football history: 80 goals in international play, an absolute record that places him ahead of Pelé. To this record he adds an Olympic title won in Rio in 2016.

Yet this international retirement leaves a sense of unfinished business. Neymar will have gone through four World Cups without ever lifting the trophy, accompanied each time by injuries, controversies, or disappointments at the decisive moment. The sixth star that Brazil has been waiting for since 2002 will have to wait for another generation.