Brazil star Neymar announced his retirement from international football after Brazil was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16.
Five-time World Cup champion Brazil was knocked out after Erling Haaland scored twice to send Norway into the quarterfinals for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Playing in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Haaland opened the scoring in the 79th minute before adding a second goal in the 90th. Neymar converted a stoppage-time penalty for Brazil’s only goal, but it was not enough to prevent elimination.
Neymar has announced his retirement from international duty for Brazil. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/vV9PjUAFLP
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 5, 2026
Following the defeat, an emotional Neymar broke down in tears before confirming the end of his international career.
According to foreign media reports, Neymar told Brazilian reporters after the match: “I gave everything I had. It all started here in this stadium, and it ends here. Now it’s over.”
The 34-year-old made his Brazil debut on Aug. 10, 2010, in a friendly against the United States at the same stadium in East Rutherford.
Neymar retires as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s international scorer with 80 goals, surpassing Brazilian legend Pelé by three goals.
More read, Brazil knocked out as Norway reach first ever World Cup quarter-final
Earlier, Erling Haaland scored twice in the final stages as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium, knocking out the five-time champions and securing a place in their first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland played a decisive role in the victory, saving a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimarães and producing several crucial stops to keep his side in the contest against sustained Brazilian pressure.
