World Cup 2026: 'Now it's over,' Neymar signals international retirement after Brazil's exit

Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. has suggested that his international career has come to an end following the Seleção's unexpected elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old forward's emotional statements came after Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, a result that marks their earliest exit from the tournament since 1990.

Speaking after the match, Neymar expressed a sense of finality. "I tried, I tried... Now it's over. I started here, I finish here," he reportedly said, referencing his international debut which took place on August 10, 2010, against the United States at the MetLife Stadium – the same venue where Brazil's World Cup journey concluded. This potential end to his national team tenure comes despite him being Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances.

Neymar is one of only two Brazilian players to have participated in four World Cups without winning the tournament, a list that also includes Thiago Silva. His career has been marked by incredible talent but also by recurring physical issues. Since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, he has faced several injuries, including one that caused him to miss Brazil's first two matches in the current World Cup.

Currently under contract with Santos until the end of 2026, Neymar's future with the national team remains uncertain. While he has hinted at retirement, the emotional weight of the World Cup exit might have influenced his immediate reaction. The conclusion of his international journey, if final, would mark the end of an era for Brazilian football, leaving a void in the Seleção's attacking prowess.

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Voilà, c’est fini… J’ai essayé, j’ai essayé... Maintenant, c’est fini. J’ai commencé ici, je termine ici.