Brazil football star Neymar declared his international career over on Sunday, shortly after Brazil, five-time World Cup champions, were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by Norway with a 2-1 defeat in the round of 16.

Neymar, 34, who is Brazil's all-time top scorer, came on as a late substitute at MetLife Stadium in the United States and scored a penalty deep into injury time. However, Norway's Erling Haaland scored twice, securing the win for Norway.

In a poignant moment after the match, Neymar told a journalist from Brazil's Globo Esporte, "It began here and it ends here," reflecting on his international journey that also started at the same stadium with his first goal for Brazil in a 2-0 victory over the United States in 2010.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, now back at his first club Santos, had been sidelined by injuries in recent years and was a surprise inclusion in coach Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad. Injury kept him out of Brazil's first two group matches, but he played in the 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, marking his first international appearance since October 2023.

Neymar collapsed in tears at the final whistle and was consoled by teammates, marking an emotional end to his storied international career.

Sources