Neymar ‘Announces’ Retirement As Norway Ends Brazil World Cup Dream

Brazil superstar, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, popularly known as Neymar, on Sunday, July 5, appeared to draw the curtain on his international career after the five-time world champions crashed out of the World Cup in the last 16 following a 2-1 defeat to Norway.

Naija News reports that Neymar, who came on as a late substitute at MetLife Stadium, scored a penalty deep into stoppage time, but his effort was not enough to rescue Brazil after Erling Haaland’s brace had put Norway in control of the tie.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, was visibly devastated after the final whistle, collapsing in tears before being consoled by his teammates.

‘It Began Here, And It Ends Here’

Speaking briefly to a journalist from Brazil’s Globo Esporte after the game, Neymar suggested that his journey with the national team had come to an end.

“I tried, and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here, and it ends here,” he said.

The remark carried extra emotion as Neymar scored his first goal for Brazil at the same stadium in 2010, during a 2-0 victory over the United States.

Neymar, who has battled injuries in recent years, was a surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the tournament.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward, now back at Santos, missed Brazil’s first two group matches due to injury.

He later made his first international appearance since October 2023 when he came off the bench in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, a result that sealed their progress from the group stage.

However, his only other appearance at the tournament came against Norway on Sunday, where his late penalty proved to be merely a consolation.

For Neymar, who has carried the hopes of Brazilian football for more than a decade, the defeat may have marked the painful end of an era.