'It's over': Neymar signals Brazil farewell after shock FIFA World Cup defeat to Norway

Published
0
Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks dejected after the match as Brazil are eliminated from the World Cup by Norway, July 5, 2026, New Jersey. — Reuters
Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks dejected after the match as Brazil are eliminated from the World Cup by Norway, July 5, 2026, New Jersey. — Reuters
Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks dejected and is comforted by teammates after the match as Brazil are eliminated from the World Cup by Norway, July 5, 2026, New Jersey. — Reuters
Brazil's Neymar Jr. looks dejected and is comforted by teammates after the match as Brazil are eliminated from the World Cup by Norway, July 5, 2026, New Jersey. — Reuters
Neymar reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. —AFP
Neymar reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. —AFP

Brazilian star footballer Neymar Jr. suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil after scoring in their defeat by Norway in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday.

The forward converted a stoppage-time penalty in Brazil’s 2-1 loss, a result that eliminated the five-times champions and extended their wait for a sixth World Cup title.

Speaking briefly after the match to Bruno Formiga, a pundit for Brazilian channel GE TV, Neymar indicated that his tenure with Brazil had come to an end.

“I tried, I tried… Now it’s over! I started here, I finished here,” Neymar said, referring to the stadium in New Jersey, where he made his Brazil debut in a friendly against the United States in 2010.

The 34-year-old was moved to tears after the match. It was the national team’s worst World Cup performance since 1990.

Brazil are now heading towards their longest spell without a World Cup title since they first won the tournament. By 2030, they will have gone 28 years without lifting the trophy.

If Neymar Jr. confirms his international retirement, he will end his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances.

Neymar has won multiple titles at club level but his only senior trophy with Brazil was the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Opinion

Editorial

After the talks
Updated 05 Oct, 2026

After the talks

The question of where it ends up, though, will cause stress to the federal government.
Child safety online
05 Oct, 2026

Child safety online

PAKISTANI children are spending more of their lives online, but the safeguards around them are not keeping pace. A...
Rising public debt
05 Oct, 2026

Rising public debt

PAKISTAN’S public debt has surged by 76pc to Rs86.7tr in four years, according to a new government report. Though...
Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...