Neymar declared his retirement from international football following Brazil’s defeat to Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The match ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, with Neymar scoring a late penalty. After the game, Neymar tearfully confirmed his final appearance for the Selecao in an interview with Globo Esporte TV.
Neymar, who appeared twice as a substitute in the 2026 World Cup, scored his only goal from a penalty against Norway. With 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 games, the 34-year-old forward ended his career as Brazil’s top goalscorer. Despite success at the club level, his major international achievement with Brazil was winning the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Having debuted in 2010, Neymar participated in four World Cup tournaments and won Olympic medals in 2012 and 2016. In the 2014 World Cup, he was a standout player before being injured in the quarter-finals. Although he faced challenges in subsequent World Cups due to injuries, Neymar continued to contribute significantly to Brazil’s performances.
