Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Neymar retires from Brazil duty after World Cup exit to Haaland-inspired Norway
Neymar has confirmed his retirement from international football after Brazil's shock round-of-16 defeat to Norway at the 2026 World Cup. His 80th international goal — a stoppage-time penalty — made him only the second Brazilian after Pelé to score in four World Cup tournaments.
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Neymar scores but hints at Brazil farewell after shock World Cup exit to Norway
Neymar converted a stoppage-time penalty but could not prevent Brazil's 2-1 defeat by Norway in the World Cup round of 16, after which the 34-year-old suggested his international career was over, saying: 'I tried, I tried … Now it's over.'
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Neymar retires from international football after Brazil's World Cup exit to Norway
Neymar has announced his retirement from international football after Brazil were eliminated by Norway 2-1 in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old ends his international career as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances.
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Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last as Portugal face Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with Portugal. The 41-year-old made the admission at a press conference ahead of his side's round of 16 clash against Spain.
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Mahrez announces international retirement and leaves Al-Ahli within 48 hours
Eliminated with Algeria by Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Riyad Mahrez announced the end of his international career and then terminated his contract with Al-Ahli two days later. At 35, his next club remains unknown.
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Michail Antonio reveals shattered leg and memory loss six months after near-fatal car crash
Michail Antonio has opened up on the December 2024 car crash that nearly ended his life, revealing he has no memory of the incident and that one leg was a quarter of its normal size when first responders arrived. The former West Ham striker made a stunning return to action for Jamaica just six months later.
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Villeneuve silences Hamilton retirement doubters as Ferrari resurgence speaks for itself
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has dismissed calls for Lewis Hamilton to have retired during his difficult final Mercedes seasons, arguing that Hamilton's 2026 Ferrari revival proves the seven-time champion was right to keep racing.
Formula 1 -
After 2026 World Cup elimination, Algerian players refuse to play under Petkovic
Beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Algeria is in deep crisis: Mahrez and Mandi have announced their international retirement, while other players reportedly refuse to play as long as Vladimir Petkovic remains head coach.
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Mahrez retires from international football live on air after Algeria's World Cup exit
Riyad Mahrez confirmed his Algeria retirement on television moments after Switzerland's 2-0 victory ended his nation's World Cup campaign. The 35-year-old, who made 119 appearances and scored 40 goals for Algeria, said: "This was my last match."
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Mahrez retires from international football after Algeria's elimination by Switzerland
Algeria was knocked out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, losing 2-0 to Switzerland. Riyad Mahrez, 35, announced his international retirement immediately after the final whistle, ending twelve years with the Fennecs.
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Ronaldo's Sister Announces His International Retirement After Round of 16 Win vs Croatia
After Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 16, Katia Aveiro declared that this sixth World Cup would be the last international competition for her brother Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Ronaldo hails Modrić a 'legend of football' after Croatia's World Cup exit ends their rivalry
Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Luka Modrić after Portugal's 2-1 round-of-32 victory over Croatia in Toronto, a result that is widely expected to bring the 40-year-old midfielder's international career to a close.
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Ronaldo defers retirement call until after World Cup as 2030 appearance stays on the table
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to announce any decision on his international future after Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 to reach the World Cup Round of 16, saying he will decide once the tournament is over. Coach Roberto Martinez has backed the 39-year-old to compete at a record seventh World Cup in 2030.
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Ronaldo becomes oldest outfield player in World Cup knockout history as Portugal face Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41 years and 147 days, set a new record as the oldest player to appear in a World Cup knockout-stage match when Portugal faced Croatia in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Luka Modrić also started for Croatia, making it the first knockout game to feature two outfield players over 40.
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Ronaldo's sister claims Portugal's World Cup exit will end his international career
Katia Aveiro has suggested that elimination from the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's international career. The Portugal captain, 41, is appearing at his sixth World Cup and holds the men's record of 145 international goals.
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Ronaldo's sister reveals Portugal vs Croatia could be his international farewell
Katia Aveiro told Portuguese broadcaster SportTV before kick-off that a defeat against Croatia at the World Cup would end her brother's 23-year international career. Ronaldo, 41, started the round-of-32 clash in Toronto as Portugal's captain.
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One year on, Diogo Jota's final Instagram post remains a haunting tribute to family
Twelve months after Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car crash, the Liverpool forward's last Instagram post — a wedding video shared hours before the accident — endures as a deeply personal memorial.
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Jones praises UFC White House legacy after Dana White shut him out of the card
Jon Jones has expressed admiration for the UFC White House event despite being explicitly excluded from the card by Dana White. The former champion, who briefly retired in June 2025 before reversing course, says the historic show elevated MMA to a new level of prestige.
MMA -
Santi Cazorla retires at 41 after defying amputation threat to play on for a decade
Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football at 41, ending a career that included two FA Cup wins with Arsenal, two European Championship titles with Spain, and a remarkable recovery from an ankle injury that nearly cost him his foot.
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Walker stands firm on England retirement despite Rooney's World Cup recall plea
Kyle Walker has reaffirmed his international retirement after Wayne Rooney urged Thomas Tuchel to call the 96-cap right-back back into England's World Cup 2026 squad following injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento.
Football