Brazil’s elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Norway could also mark the closing of an era. Neymar assured that his time with the Brazilian team has come to an end after the 2-1 defeat, in a match in which he scored the Canarinha’s last goal from the penalty spot.
“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here and I finished here,” declared the 34-year-old striker at the end of the match, hinting that he will not wear the Brazil shirt again.
The attacker came on as a substitute and converted the injury time to reach 80 goals for the national team, extending his status as Brazil’s all-time top scorer, ahead of Pelé.
The match had a special meaning for Neymar, since it was played in the same stadium where he made his debut with the senior team in 2010 against the United States. That afternoon he also scored, as well as in what could have been his international farewell.
Furthermore, the goal against Norway allowed him to become only the second Brazilian footballer, after Pelé, to score in four different editions of the World Cup.
Neymar’s presence in the squad had already surprised due to the injuries that limited his activity in recent years. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti relied on his experience to face the tournament.
After the elimination, the Italian coach stated that Brazil will have to start a “new cycle” with its sights set on the 2030 World Cup, which reinforces the feeling that the historic attacker has played his last game with the Verdeamarela.
