Neymar (foto: Getty Images)
Neymar's World Cup dream ended in heartbreak after Brazil's shock defeat to Norway, with the legendary forward confirming his international career is over.
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Neymar brought the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers in Brazilian football history after confirming he has played his final match for Brazil.
The 34-year-old was left in tears after the Seleção suffered a stunning 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, crashing out of the 2026 World Cup before the quarter-finals for the first time since 1982.
Neymar scored Brazil's only goal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it proved nothing more than a consolation as Erling Haaland and Norway completed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Speaking to TV Globo after the final whistle, the Brazil captain confirmed that his international journey has come to an end.
"I tried. I gave everything I had. Now it's over. I started here, and I finished here."
The words carried extra significance. Neymar made his Brazil debut at the very same stadium in New Jersey in August 2010, scoring in a 2-0 victory over the United States. Sixteen years later, his international story ended on the same pitch.
Watching from the stands, Neymar's father delivered an emotional message to his son.
"My request to you, Ney: please keep playing football."
Although his time with Brazil appears to be over, Neymar is expected to continue his club career with Santos, the club where his remarkable journey first began.
His path over the past few years has been far from straightforward. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, Neymar joined Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia on one of the most lucrative contracts in football. However, a serious ACL injury restricted him to only a handful of appearances before his contract was eventually terminated.
He later returned home to Santos in an effort to revive his career and earn one final chance to represent Brazil at a World Cup.
There were doubts whether he would even make the squad after another injury in the build-up to the tournament, but he recovered in time to play his part.
Neymar finishes his international career as Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances, leaving behind a legacy that places him among the greatest players ever to wear the famous yellow shirt.
He never lifted the World Cup trophy, but his place in Brazilian football history was secured long before his emotional farewell.