Neymar announced his retirement from playing with the Brazilian national team after his team was eliminated from the World Cup by Norway in the round of 16 on Sunday.
The 34-year-old scored a late consolation goal from the penalty spot as Brazil lost 2-1 to two goals from Erling Haaland, recording their first World Cup exit since 1990.
Neymar fell to the ground, crying, after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, before his teammates consoled him.
“I tried, I tried. And now it’s over,” he told Globo. “I started here, and I finished here.”
Brazilian Neymar exits the field with his teammates after the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, July 5, 2026.
(AP Photo/Seth Wing)
Neymar made his debut for Brazil against the United States in a friendly match at MetLife Stadium in August 2010, scoring his first international goal.
The 34-year-old, who has struggled with numerous injuries in recent years, finished his international career as Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 80 goals, three more than Pele.
His stoppage-time goal on Sunday made him the second Brazilian player, alongside Pele, to score in four World Cup finals. Neymar, who participated in 130 matches with his country’s national team, ranks second behind Cafu (142) on the list of players with the most appearances in Brazilian history.
After Brazil’s loss, coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was now looking forward to overseeing a “new cycle” with the team.
“What I am saying is that we continue to do our job and look for new ideas,” Ancelotti said. “It’s the same thing we did this year.
“It’s an experience on my part, it’s a very disappointing result and we’re all really sad
“But this was a great group and I have to thank my players, they worked really hard. I don’t think we deserved to lose, but we have to accept it.”
“This is football for you, this is sport. Sometimes you have to deal with sadness and the bitter taste of defeat.
“I’m used to it, but we will accept this defeat and use it as fuel for the new cycle.
He added, “Everyone feels deep sadness, just like the fans. It is normal for us to feel these feelings, but what we have to do is respond correctly.”
ESPN’s Mark Ogden contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2026 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.