Emotional Neymar announces retirement from international football - 'I tried'

Neymar has announced his retirement from international football, following Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Norway which saw them crash out at the World Cup last-16 stage. Erling Haaland's brace ended any hope of a record-extending sixth title.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger came on with 25 minutes remaining but, despite a last-gasp penalty, could not save his side’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals and setting up a potential clash with England.

Neymar is now likely to finish his career with no World Cups or Ballons d’Or, and just one UEFA Champions League, despite being seen by many as the heir-apparent to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for much of his career.

The Santos, who was tearful on the pitch at the end of the tie, told Brazilian outlet TV Globo: ”I tried. I tried.

"It started here at Met Life stadium and I finished here. It is now over.”

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti added: "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, that is sports. Sometimes you have to manage the sadness and bitter taste of a defeat."

Neymar’s penalty against Norway was a record-extending 80th goal for Brazil, but his first in nearly three years.

Persistent injuries have plagued the twilight of his international career, including an ACL injury in 2023, having broken onto the international scene as a teenager.

How promise turned to disappointment for Neymar

Having made his international debut aged 18, Neymar immediately looked like he would lead Brazil to more World Cup glory.

He looked destined to do so in 2014 on home turf, scoring four times in the group stage, before netting the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Chile to reach the quarter-finals.

However, a back injury against Colombia ended his tournament and he had to watch from the sidelines, alongside nearly 60,000 fans, as his side were beaten 7-1 by winners Germany.

In a stellar 2014/15 season that included a Champions League with Barcelona, Neymar took over the captaincy of the national team, and tasted gold on home soil when Brazil won the 2016 Olympics.

Neymar made it to the 2018 World Cup, albeit still carrying a minor injury, but a 2-1 loss to Belgium in the quarter-finals put paid to any hope of success.

Brazil fell to a European nation at the quarter-final stage again in 2022 when Croatia won on penalties, despite Neymar giving his side the lead in extra time.

This tournament was seen as his final chance for success, even if he was a peripheral figure in the side, but the signs were there that it was not meant to be.

Brazil left it late to qualify and, despite an unbeaten record in the group stage, including effectively eliminating Scotland, were handed a scare against Japan in the last 32, coming from behind and needing a stoppage-time winner.

However, Norway did not show any mercy as Erling Haaland put them to the sword, scoring twice as Brazil’s tournament ended prematurely once more.

Apart from Olympic gold, Neymar’s only international trophy is the 2013 Confederations Cup, highlighting the disappointment that has surrounded this generation of Brazilian footballers.

Ancelotti defiant about his future

Ancelotti doubled down on his intent to stay as Brazil manager, despite his side’s surprise early exit.

The Italian is contracted until after the 2030 World Cup, having taken over the reins last year.

However, defeat to Norway has confirmed that Brazil’s wait for another World Cup extends to at least 28 years, their longest drought since their first title in 1958.

”I don’t think this is the end,” Ancelotti said. ”I think this is the start of a new cycle.

”Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today’s game.

”What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas.

"I am very much used to this and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward."