Neymar announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team in tears after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, ending a 16-year international career. The 34-year-old forward noted a full-circle moment at MetLife Stadium, where he scored both his first and last national team goals. Legendary defender Roberto Carlos defended Neymar's legacy, asserting that not winning the World Cup does not diminish his status as one of Brazil's greatest.
The announcement came after Brazil's unexpected 2-1 loss to Norway in the round of 16 at MetLife Stadium, ending their World Cup campaign. Neymar, 34, had been recovering from an injury earlier in the tournament, as previously covered by The Zioneer. His 16-year international career includes 128 caps and 79 goals. Roberto Carlos, a fellow Brazilian legend, praised Neymar's impact on the game, stating that generations will remember him as one of the greatest to wear the yellow shirt.
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