Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Norway in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.
The former Barcelona star made his final appearance for Brazil after coming on in the defeat to Norway, scoring a stoppage time penalty which was not enough to cancel out Erling Haaland’s double.
The 34-year-old forward finishes his career as the top goalscorer in the history of the Brazilian men’s national team with 80 goals in 129 appearances.
“I tried. I tried. It started here at Met Life stadium and I finished here. It is now over,” Neymar said after the game.
Neymar made his senior international debut in 2010 and appeared in four World Cup tournaments. He also competed in two Olympic tournaments, winning a silver medal in 2012 and leading Brazil to a gold medal in 2016, Fox Sports reports.
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The Brazilian forward made two appearances, both as a substitute, at the 2026 World Cup. He made a cameo appearance in the second half against Scotland during the group stage before he scored his lone goal of the tournament against Norway.
His only title with Brazil’s senior men’s national team was the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, after defeating Spain 3-0 in the final, with Neymar scoring one of the goals.
Shortly after the news broke, Thierry Henry praised Neymar stating:”Thank you. This is a guy I would’ve paid to watch. Simple as that,” Henry said on FOX Sports “World Cup Today.” “We can talk about tactics. We can talk about whatever it is … but this guy could play anywhere, at any time, in any style. He could’ve made anyone — and he did make anyone — love the game with the way he was, his goals, his smile, the way he went about it and his skills.
“Anyone young wanted to be Neymar. You wanted to be Neymar. This guy changed the game with the way he was playing it. So, I don’t want to talk about a World Cup and the way he finished. I want to talk about what he has given to the game. Neymar was, and always will be, an outstanding player.
“Thank you for what you’ve done, I’ve enjoyed it.”
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