Neymar Jr. has brought the curtain down on his international career after Brazil's stunning defeat to Norway ended the five-time champions' 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The decision concludes a remarkable 16-year spell with the national team, during which Neymar became Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 129 appearances.
His final outing in the famous yellow jersey came as a substitute at MetLife Stadium, the same ground where he made his Brazil debut in 2010. Although Neymar converted a penalty against Norway, the goal was not enough to prevent Brazil from suffering a shock elimination from the tournament.
The emotional toll of the defeat was evident as Neymar broke down in tears following the final whistle. Television images showed the veteran forward crying uncontrollably while several teammates attempted to console him after Brazil's World Cup dream came to an end.
"I tried, I tried. Now it's over," he told Globo after the game. "I started here; I finished here."
While his journey with the Selecao has ended, Neymar will continue playing at club level with Santos FC, where he plans to assess his future one season at a time.
Brazil's loss to Norway also extended the team's dismal record against European opposition at the World Cup. The five-time world champions have not defeated a European team in the competition since overcoming Germany in the 2002 final. Despite the disappointing exit, head coach Carlo Ancelotti urged his players to use the setback as motivation, insisting the tournament represents "the start of a new cycle."
"Obviously everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don't think we have had a spectacular World Cup, but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today," Ancelotti said after the 2-1 loss at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Norway sealed victory through two late goals from Erling Haaland in a contest that had turned on an early penalty awarded to Brazil, which Bruno Guimaraes failed to convert. Neymar's stoppage-time penalty proved to be nothing more than a consolation and ultimately became the final goal of his international career.
"You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve," added Ancelotti, who was appointed just over a year ago and charged with the task of winning Brazil a record-extending sixth World Cup.
The Italian manager, whose contract runs until the 2030 World Cup, dismissed any suggestion that he could resign following Brazil's premature exit.
"I don't think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle," he insisted. "I think with the squad they have, Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today's game."
Brazil's wait to secure a sixth World Cup crown will now extend beyond 25 years, with the nation's most recent triumph having come in Japan in 2002.
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