The 34-year-old forward made the announcement in an emotional television interview after the final whistle,..reports Asian Lite News Desk
Neymar brought the curtain down on his international career on Monday, announcing his retirement from Brazil duty moments after the Seleção’s FIFA World Cup campaign ended with a Round of 16 defeat to Norway.
The 34-year-old forward made the announcement in an emotional television interview after the final whistle, ending a 16-year international career in which he became Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer.
“I tried. I tried,” Neymar told Globo Esporte, struggling to hold back tears.
“It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.”
Neymar came off the bench to convert a stoppage-time penalty against Norway, but the goal proved only a consolation as Brazil’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt end.
The veteran forward featured twice during the tournament, both as a substitute. He made his first appearance in the group stage against Scotland before scoring what would become the final goal of his international career.
Neymar leaves the national team with a remarkable record of 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances, surpassing the scoring mark set by Brazilian great Pelé.
Having made his senior debut in 2010, he represented Brazil at four FIFA World Cups and became one of the defining figures of his generation.
His international journey featured unforgettable highs and painful disappointments. At the 2014 World Cup on home soil, he inspired Brazil’s campaign before a back injury in the quarterfinal against Colombia ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament.
Two years later, he captained Brazil to its first Olympic football gold medal at the Rio Games, converting the decisive penalty in the final after helping the team secure silver at the London Olympics in 2012.
Subsequent World Cup campaigns were repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Brazil exited in the quarterfinals in both 2018 and 2022, with Neymar producing moments of brilliance but falling short of lifting football’s biggest prize.
Although he enjoyed tremendous success at club level, winning multiple domestic league titles and the UEFA Champions League, his only major senior trophy with Brazil remained the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
His retirement closes one of the most celebrated chapters in Brazilian football, ending the international career of a player whose flair, creativity and goals made him one of the sport’s biggest stars for more than a decade.
