Neymar told Globo he was retiring from the Brazil national team following the side’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old delivered the emotional statement after Sunday’s match where he scored his team’s only goal. “I tried. I tried. It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over” he said. Teammates surrounded the forward as he broke down in tears during the interview.
The result saw Norway advance with a 2-1 victory over Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Neymar converted a penalty in stoppage time but the late strike could not overturn the deficit. ESPN reported that the loss represented a historic achievement for Norway against the five-time world champions. The match concluded Brazil’s participation in the tournament where the squad had entered with high expectations.
Neymar retires as Brazil’s all-time leading international goalscorer. Figures published by the Brazilian Football Confederation place his record at 80 goals from 129 appearances since his senior debut in 2010. The tally stands three goals clear of Pele’s total according to the same records. He featured for the national team across four World Cup tournaments during that span.
The forward made his Brazil debut at MetLife Stadium in a 2010 friendly against the United States where he also scored. Neymar helped the country claim gold at the 2016 Olympic Games hosted in Rio de Janeiro. His club path began at Santos in 2009 before moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain brought further success in Europe. Recent seasons had been impacted by injuries yet he contributed during Brazil’s 2026 qualification campaign.
Neymar entered the 2026 World Cup having made limited appearances in the group stage. He was deployed as a substitute in two matches and scored solely from the penalty against Norway. ESPN noted that his international career spanned 16 years and included multiple standout performances for the Selecao. The retirement announcement followed directly from the pitch at the venue where his journey with Brazil had started.
The Brazilian Football Confederation had not issued a formal response to the retirement as of Monday. Neymar’s club commitments are expected to continue separately from national team duties. Reports from FOX Sports confirmed the decision was conveyed in the immediate aftermath of the Norway fixture. Fans responded across digital platforms with messages reflecting on his contributions to Brazilian football over the past decade.
