Brazil's World Cup dreams were brutally snuffed out by Norway in a stunning last-16 defeat, sending shockwaves through the camp. For Neymar, it marked the end of an era - he confirmed his international retirement with tears streaming down his face, his illustrious career bringing to a close on the very same turf where it began.
Talk about a gut-wrenching exit! The Brazilian legend made the emotional announcement after Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Norway, a match where Neymar's late penalty was little more than a consolation prize. Speaking to TV Globo, a visibly shaken Neymar admitted, "I tried, I tried. Now it's over." It was his second appearance at this summer's tournament, coming off the bench in the 67th minute after struggling with injuries since 2023.
Neymar's international journey began at the very same stadium back in August 2010, where he famously scored on his debut in a 2-0 friendly win against the United States. Fast forward to today and the forward has amassed an astonishing 80 goals for Brazil, making him the country's all-time leading scorer - no mean feat! His 130 appearances for his nation also place him second on the all-time list, with only Cafu's 142 caps standing between him and top spot.
This World Cup was Neymar's fourth appearance at the global showpiece, having previously represented Brazil in 2014, 2018, and 2022. His selection for the 2026 squad came despite a tough spell of injury struggles that had kept him out of international contention since 2023 - his only other outing being as a late substitute in a 3-0 group stage win against Scotland.
The defeat to Norway represents a major upset in the tournament, ending Brazil's hopes prematurely and bringing an end to one of modern football's most iconic international careers. Neymar's departure leaves a huge void in the Brazilian squad, both in terms of experience and goalscoring prowess, as the nation looks to rebuild for future competitions.