Neymar Says Brazil Career Is 'Over' After Painful Norway Exit

Brazil's FIFA World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday as an emotional Neymar suggested his international career had come to an end following a stunning 2-1 Round of 16 defeat to Norway at MetLife Stadium.

Erling Haaland struck twice in the closing stages to send Norway into the quarter-finals in one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, before Neymar converted a stoppage-time penalty that proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

At the final whistle, the 34-year-old collapsed to the turf in tears before being consoled by teammates, bringing an emotional close to what could prove to be one of the greatest international careers in Brazilian football history.

"I tried, I tried. Now, it's over," Neymar told Globo.

"I started here; I finished here."

There was a poignant symmetry to the moment. Neymar made his Brazil debut against the United States at MetLife Stadium in August 2010, scoring on his first appearance. Sixteen years later, on the same ground, he appears to have played his final match in the famous yellow shirt.

If this was indeed his farewell, Neymar leaves as Brazil's all-time leading men's goalscorer with 80 international goals, surpassing Pelé's long-standing record by three. His late penalty against Norway also made him just the second Brazilian man after Pelé to score in four different FIFA World Cups.

With 130 international appearances, Neymar finishes second only to Cafu (142) on Brazil's all-time appearance list.

This tournament never truly allowed Neymar the opportunity to make the impact many had hoped for.

A persistent right calf injury restricted the forward to just two appearances during Brazil's five-match campaign. After a brief 15-minute cameo against Scotland in the group stage, he returned from the bench against Norway, entering in the 67th minute before calmly converting a late penalty.

For more than a decade Neymar was Brazil's main creative force, but injuries increasingly restricted his impact in the latter stages of his international career as a new generation gradually emerged around him.

Despite Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has made it clear that Carlo Ancelotti remains central to its long-term plans.

The Italian, who took charge in May 2025 before extending his contract through to the 2030 World Cup, admitted the defeat was deeply painful but insisted it would become the foundation for Brazil's next chapter.

"What I say is that we continue to do our jobs and look for new ideas," Ancelotti said after the match.

"It is an experience on my side. It is a very disappointing result, and all of us are really saddened."

"But this was a great group, and I have to thank my players; they worked really hard. I don't think we deserved to lose, but we have to accept it."

"That is football for you. Sometimes you have to manage the sadness and bitter taste of a defeat."

The veteran coach vowed to channel the disappointment into rebuilding the national team.

"We are going to take this defeat and use it as fuel for the new cycle."

"Everyone is profoundly sad, as the fans are. This is normal to have those feelings, but what we have to do is react correctly."

Brazil's national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano reaffirmed the federation's commitment to Ancelotti, stressing that the World Cup disappointment would not derail the project already in place.

"It is now up to us to emphasise the need for a cycle that proceeds normally, with a little more calmness," Caetano said.

"We will continue our work with the coach through the 2030 World Cup while making the necessary adjustments."

"May we have at least a minimum of tranquillity to move forward and prepare for the next World Cup."

Although acknowledging the disappointment, Caetano praised the unity shown throughout Brazil's month-long stay at the tournament.

"Everyone is very sad, frustrated and disappointed — the players, the staff and the coaching staff," he admitted.

"But we can't dismiss the time we spent together. During those 38 days everyone witnessed the players' commitment and professionalism from the first day to the last."

The CBF echoed that message in a statement posted on social media.

"The story of the Brazilian National Team is one of great achievements, but also of moments that strengthen our journey," it read.

"Today we bid farewell to the World Cup, certain that we will return even stronger. Thank you, Brazilian fans."

Brazil captain Marquinhos accepted responsibility for the disappointing campaign and apologised directly to supporters following the elimination.

"Now we need to learn from this lesson and apologise to the Brazilian people," the Paris Saint-Germain defender said.

"I ask the people to show their support starting now. They have four years to work toward achieving great things at the next World Cup."

Reflecting on the defeat, Marquinhos admitted Norway proved more clinical when it mattered most.

"They managed to be effective, while we squandered many of the chances we had," he said.

"We had a penalty kick saved and other opportunities. In the World Cup, the team that makes the fewest mistakes ends up coming out on top."

For Brazil, the defeat marks the beginning of another rebuilding phase. For Neymar, it may also represent the emotional end of one of the most celebrated international careers the Seleção has ever known.