Emotional Neymar Retires From International Soccer After Brazil’s World Cup Run Ends in Heartbreak
NEED TO KNOWNeymar said his international soccer career is “over” after Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 on Sunday, July 5The Brazilian soccer star said he “started” his World Cup career at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and “finished” it at the venue after the lossNeymar will retire with 80 international goals as Brazil’s all-time leading scorerBrazilian star Neymar emotionally retired from international soccer after the nation’s World Cup elimination.After Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 at New York New Jersey Stadium [MetLife Stadium] on Sunday, July 5, Neymar — who made his World Cup debut for Brazil at MetLife in 2010 — fell to the ground in tears. His Brazilian teammates quickly went to go console him.AdvertisementAfter the match, which saw Norwegian star Erling Haaland score both goals for Noway, Neymar told Globo, “I tried. I tried. Now, it’s over. I started here. I finished here.”Neymar made a late goal on a penalty kick to give Brazil a point in the match. According to ESPN, Brazil’s exit in the round of 16 is their earliest departure in a World Cup since 1990.Erling Haaland at the 2026 World CupCredit: Tom Weller/picture alliance via GettyNeymar will finish his career with 80 international goals, making him the all-time leading scorer in Brazil, with three more than Pelé.After the final whistle, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry spoke highly of Neymar on World Cup Today on Fox Sports. “Anyone young wanted to be Neymar. You wanted to be Neymar,” Henry said. “This guy changed the game with the way he was playing it. So, I don’t want to talk about a World Cup and the way he finished. I want to talk about what he has given to the game. Neymar was, and always will be, an outstanding player. Thank you for what you’ve done, I’ve enjoyed it.”AdvertisementIbrahimović said Neymar is “an amazing talent, an amazing player and the skill set he had was just crazy,” adding, “So, sad moment for Brazilian football.”Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to reporters after the loss, calling it a “very disappointing result” and said the whole Brazilian team “are really saddened,” according to ESPN. “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, that is sports. Sometimes, you have to manage the sadness and bitter taste of a defeat,” Ancelotti said.“I am very used to that, but we are going to take this defeat and use it as fuel for the new cycle,” the coach continued, adding, “Everyone is profoundly sad, as the fans are. This is normal to have those feelings, but what we have to do is react correctly.”AdvertisementRead the original article on People
