NEW JERSEY, Monday, July 6, 2026 (WAFA) –Brazilian football icon Neymar has officially announced his retirement from international football following a devastating 2-1 loss to Norway in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, ending the five-time champions' tournament run.

The 34-year-old forward was overcome with emotion at the final whistle in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, falling to the turf in tears before his teammates rallied around him. Reflecting on the poignant conclusion to his international career at the very venue where it all began, Neymar told reporters, "I tried. I tried. It started here at Met Life stadium and I finished here. It is now over."

Though Neymar managed to convert a penalty deep into stoppage time to score Brazil's lone goal, it was not enough to spark a comeback against a historic Norwegian side advancing to its first-ever World Cup quarterfinal.

The legendary attacker hangs up his national jersey as Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of 80 goals in 130 appearances. Since making his senior debut in 2010—just a year after launching his professional career with Santos FC—Neymar has been the focal point of Brazilian football, famously guiding the Seleção to an Olympic gold medal in 2016.

K.T