Neymar announces international retirement after Brazil's World Cup exit to Norway

Neymar has announced his retirement from international football, closing out his Brazil career moments after the Seleção's 2-1 Round of 16 exit to Norway at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. "I tried, I tried. Now, it's over," an emotional Neymar told Globo. "I started here; I finished here."

The 34-year-old made his senior Brazil debut at the same venue in August 2010, against the United States, and leaves the national team as its all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances, three ahead of Pelé. He played across four World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), but a nagging calf/hamstring injury restricted him to just two substitute appearances in this tournament, against Scotland and Norway.

His final touch in a Brazil shirt was a stoppage-time penalty against Norway, a consolation goal in a defeat that marked Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990. Neymar collapsed in tears at the final whistle before being consoled by teammates Raphinha and Vinicius Junior. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil now enters a transition period built around a new generation of players.