Neymar has suggested that his international career with Brazil may have come to an end following the team’s World Cup exit.
The Brazilian forward made the emotional remarks after Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Although Neymar scored during stoppage time, his goal was not enough to keep Brazil’s World Cup campaign alive.
Neymar Scores in Brazil’s Defeat
Brazil’s hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title ended after Norway secured a 2-1 victory in the knockout stage.
Neymar converted a penalty deep into stoppage time. However, Brazil could not find another goal before the final whistle.
As a result, the five-time world champions were eliminated from the tournament earlier than expected.
Emotional Words Spark Retirement Speculation
After the match, Neymar briefly reflected on his future with Brazil.
His emotional comments immediately fueled speculation that he had played his final international match.
“I tried, I tried … Now it’s over! I started here, I finished here.”
The 34-year-old made the remarks while referring to the stadium in New Jersey, where he made his Brazil debut against the United States in a friendly match in 2010.
Following the defeat, Neymar was visibly emotional and left the field in tears.
Brazil Endures Historic World Cup Disappointment
The defeat marked Brazil’s worst World Cup performance since 1990.
Furthermore, the result extended the nation’s long wait for another World Cup triumph. Brazil last lifted football’s biggest trophy in 2002.
If the team fails to win the next tournament, the country will have gone 28 years without claiming another World Cup title by 2030.
A Remarkable International Career
If Neymar confirms his retirement from international football, he will leave behind an impressive record with Brazil.
During his international career, he scored 80 goals and provided 58 assists in 130 appearances for the national team.
His performances established him as one of Brazil’s most influential players of his generation.
Success at Club Level
Neymar has enjoyed an outstanding club career, winning numerous domestic and international trophies. However, his achievements with Brazil’s senior national team have been more limited.
His only major senior international title came in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Despite falling short of World Cup glory, Neymar remains one of the most accomplished players to represent Brazil.
His emotional comments have now raised fresh questions about whether Sunday’s defeat marked the final chapter of his international journey.
