‘I want to ask like a father’: Neymar’s father writes emotional message after retirement

Brazilian Neymar (AP Photo) Neymar’s father made an emotional appeal to his son after the Brazil forward decided to retire from international football after the Selecao’s 2026 World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end.Following Brazil’s round of 16 exit, Neymar Pai took to social media with a heartfelt message urging his son not to back down from the game he has dedicated his life to.“I want to ask you as a father. Son, keep playing football.” Posted by Neymar’s father.The emotional post came shortly after Neymar confirmed his international career was over following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway at the MetLife Stadium.The five-time world champions saw their hopes of a sixth world title dashed when Erling Haaland struck twice, with Neymar’s stoppage penalty serving as just a consolation.Shortly after the defeat, the 34-year-old announced that he had played his last game for Brazil.“I tried, I tried. Now it’s over. I started here, I finished here,” Neymar told reporters.Although Brazil’s campaign ended in disappointment, Neymar established himself as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.His late penalty, awarded after Leo Østigård was penalized for a foul on Casemiro in extra time, was his first goal of the tournament. It also took his international record to 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 games for Brazil.In a glittering international career spanning more than a decade, Neymar helped Brazil win the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and led the country to Olympic gold on home soil at the 2016 Rio Games.His place in Brazil’s World Cup squad was uncertain until the final stages of selection due to lingering fitness concerns. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to include the experienced forward in his 26-man squad in the hope that Neymar could inspire another deep run at football’s biggest tournament.Instead, Brazil’s campaign ended earlier than expected.Norway absorbed persistent Brazilian pressure before Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute and rose highest to head in Andreas Schjelderup’s cross. Brazil found a late reply with Neymar’s penalty, but it was not enough to send them off.The defeat also extended Brazil’s difficult recent record at the World Cup, marking their seventh consecutive knockout stage defeat against European opposition and their earliest exit from the tournament since 1990.While Neymar’s international chapter has now closed, his father’s emotional plea made it clear he hopes his son will continue to play club football.