Neymar breaks down in tears after heartbreaking Brazil World Cup exit – Watch

Brazilian Neymar (10) reacts (AP Photo) Neymar’s international career came to an emotional end on Sunday as the Brazilian icon confirmed he had played his final game for the national team following Brazil’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat by Norway in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old was overcome with emotion after the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium and broke down in tears as television cameras caught him covering his face with a Brazilian shirt. The painful scenes marked the end of a journey that lasted more than 16 years and saw Neymar become one of the greatest players in Brazilian football history. “It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. Now it’s gone,” Neymar said after the game. “I tried. His words had a special meaning. Neymar made his Brazil debut on 10 August 2010 in a friendly against the United States at the same stadium in New Jersey where his international career ended. This symmetry could not be ignored as one of football’s brightest stars said goodbye in the same place where his journey began. Limited by a lingering right calf injury throughout the tournament, Neymar appeared in just two of Brazil’s five World Cup games, making a brief 15-minute appearance against Scotland during the group stage. He came off the bench against Norway to convert a late penalty in stoppage time to reduce the deficit after the five-time world champions were stunned by Erling Haaland’s brace. However, the goal proved to be only a consolation as Brazil’s hopes of a dramatic comeback were dashed at the final whistle. Neymar is leaving the international stage, having carried Brazil’s expectations for more than a decade. His World Cup story has been one of extraordinary talent mixed with repeated heartbreak, from an injury that ruled him out of the closing stages in 2014, to a quarter-final disappointment in 2018, a penalty shootout agony in 2022 and now an early knockout in 2026. With Neymar sidelined, Brazil are now turning the page to a new era. Captain Marquinhos urged supporters to rally behind the next generation and said the young team will need time and patience as they look to rebuild after another painful World Cup campaign.