Neymar's father has written an emotional message to his son following the Brazil forward's announcement of retirement from international football after the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 exit. The message, shared on social media, urged Neymar to continue playing the sport he loves, according to Sports Center Brasil.
Father's Heartfelt Plea
Neymar's father addressed the Seleção's iconic number 10 jersey wearer, encouraging him not to walk away from football. "Go back to playing soccer!" he wrote, as quoted by Sports Center Brasil on X.
World Cup Exit and Retirement
Neymar announced his retirement from international football after Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 at MetLife Stadium. The five-time world champions were eliminated, ending their hopes of a sixth title.
Erling Haaland scored a late brace for Norway, with Neymar converting a stoppage-time penalty that proved only a consolation. Reflecting on the end of his national team journey, Neymar told reporters, as quoted by ESPN UK, "I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here; I finished here."
Neymar's Legacy with Brazil
Neymar finishes his international career as Brazil's all-time leading scorer. His penalty in the 10th minute of added time was his first goal of the tournament, taking his international tally to 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 appearances, extending his record as the nation's top scorer.
During his time with the Seleção, Neymar helped Brazil win the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and an Olympic gold medal on home soil at the Rio 2016 Games.
Fitness Concerns and Selection
Neymar's participation in the World Cup had remained uncertain until the final stages of squad selection due to fitness concerns. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti included him in Brazil's 26-man squad, hoping his experience would inspire another deep run. However, Brazil's campaign ended in dramatic fashion.
Norway, appearing in the knockout stages with growing confidence, absorbed sustained Brazilian pressure before Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a towering header from Andreas Schjelderup's cross.
Historic Defeat
For Brazil, the defeat marked a seventh consecutive World Cup knockout loss to European opposition and their earliest World Cup exit since 1990. Neymar's emotional farewell closed the chapter on an era that defined Brazilian football for more than a decade.
