Neymar announces international retirement after Brazil World Cup exit | OneFootball

Neymar has announced his retirement from international football after Brazil’s shock World Cup last-16 defeat to Norway.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain called time on an 18-year international career after Brazil’s hopes of ending their long wait for World Cup glory were ended by Erling Haaland-inspired Norway.

Introduced with 25 minutes to go, Neymar scoreded a stoppage-time penalty, a record-extending 80th goal for Brazil and his first international goal in almost three years, but it proved only a consolation as Brazil exited the tournament.

An emotional Neymar, 34, struggled to contain his tears after the final whistle before confirming his decision to Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo.

“I tried. I tried,” he said.

“It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over.”

The announcement brings to an end one of the most decorated yet ultimately unfulfilled international careers in football history.

Having made his Brazil debut as an 18-year-old prodigy, Neymar was widely viewed as the natural successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the game’s dominant superstar.

Instead, despite becoming Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, he finishes without the one prize he craved most – a World Cup winners’ medal.

Neymar appeared destined to lead Brazil to glory on home soil in 2014, scoring four goals before a fractured vertebra against Colombia ended his tournament. Forced to watch from the sidelines, he witnessed Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Germany.

His club career flourished the following season as he completed a treble with Barcelona, including the UEFA Champions League, while he later captained Brazil to Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Games.

World Cup disappointment, however, continued to follow him.

Brazil were beaten by Belgium in the 2018 quarter-finals before Croatia ended their hopes on penalties in 2022, despite Neymar scoring in extra time.

Persistent injuries, including a serious ACL injury suffered in 2023, limited his influence in the latter stages of his international career, although he returned for what proved to be one final World Cup campaign.

Brazil recovered from a difficult qualification to progress through the group stage unbeaten and survived a scare against Japan in the last 32, but Norway proved too strong.

Haaland’s double ended Brazil’s hopes of a record sixth World Cup crown, with Neymar’s late penalty unable to prevent an early exit.

Despite his extraordinary individual achievements, Neymar retires with Olympic gold and the 2013 Confederations Cup as his only major honours with the senior national team, leaving many to wonder what might have been.