Brazilian football superstar Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's unexpected elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a defeat to Norway, stating his journey with the national team has concluded at the same stadium where he debuted in 2010. The emotional forward, who scored in stoppage time but couldn't prevent the loss, finishes his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances, his sole senior title being the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, though he also achieved Olympic gold in 2016. Neymar, who participated in four World Cups and two Olympic Games, made two substitute appearances in this tournament, and his potential departure has drawn widespread praise for his significant influence and inspirational impact on the sport from figures like Thierry Henry.

Brazilian football superstar Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's unexpected elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a defeat to Norway, stating his journey with the national team has concluded at the same stadium where he debuted in 2010. The emotional forward, who scored in stoppage time but couldn't prevent the loss, finishes his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances, his sole senior title being the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, though he also achieved Olympic gold in 2016. Neymar, who participated in four World Cups and two Olympic Games, made two substitute appearances in this tournament, and his potential departure has drawn widespread praise for his significant influence and inspirational impact on the sport from figures like Thierry Henry.

Brazilian football superstar Neymar has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's unexpected elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a defeat to Norway, stating his journey with the national team has concluded at the same stadium where he debuted in 2010. The emotional forward, who scored in stoppage time but couldn't prevent the loss, finishes his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances, his sole senior title being the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, though he also achieved Olympic gold in 2016. Neymar, who participated in four World Cups and two Olympic Games, made two substitute appearances in this tournament, and his potential departure has drawn widespread praise for his significant influence and inspirational impact on the sport from figures like Thierry Henry.

Brazilian icon Neymar has indicated that he is retiring from international football after Brazil's stunning elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a shock defeat to Norway on Sunday.

"I tried, I tried... Now it's over. I started here, I finished here," an emotional Neymar told a television broadcaster after the match, referring to the stadium in New Jersey where he made his Brazil debut in a friendly against the United States in 2010.

The Brazilian forward broke down in tears after what could be considered one of the five-time world champions' most disappointing World Cup campaigns in decades. Neymar scored deep into second-half stoppage time, but his late goal was not enough to prevent Brazil from crashing out of the tournament.

Neymar ends his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances. Although he enjoyed remarkable success at club level, his only major senior title with Brazil was the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

He made his senior international debut in 2010 and represented Brazil at four FIFA World Cups. Neymar also featured in two Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in London in 2012 before captaining Brazil to its first Olympic football gold medal at the Rio Games in 2016.

At this World Cup, Neymar made two appearances, both as a substitute. He first came off the bench during Brazil's group-stage match against Scotland before making another substitute appearance in the defeat to Norway.

Following reports of his planned retirement, tributes poured in from across the football world. Former France striker Thierry Henry praised Neymar's influence on the sport, saying the Brazilian inspired an entire generation of players.

"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," Henry said.

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