Neymar has announced his retirement from international football after Brazil suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup last 16, their earliest exit from the tournament since 1990.
The 33-year-old, who earned 130 caps and scored 80 goals for his country, confirmed the decision immediately after Sunday’s match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. “I tried,” he said. “It started here at MetLife Stadium and I finished here. It is now over.”
Erling Haaland’s brace sent Norway into their first-ever World Cup quarter-final and condemned Brazil to a record sixth consecutive tournament without lifting the trophy. The Manchester City striker headed home Andreas Schjelderup’s cross in the 79th minute before adding his second to effectively settle the tie. Neymar converted a late penalty after exchanging words with goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, but it proved merely a consolation.
Spot-kick failures and possession woes
Brazil’s elimination was sealed by profligacy from twelve yards and a startling departure from their traditional style. Bruno Guimarães saw his first-half penalty saved by Nyland after Vinícius Júnior was denied the opportunity to take the kick. The miss assumed greater significance when Haaland broke the deadlock late on.
The Seleção recorded just 34% possession against Norway, their lowest in a World Cup match since records began in 1966. Such statistics have fuelled criticism that Carlo Ancelotti’s side abandoned the nation’s footballing principles, with pundits lambasting the “cowardly” strategy of ceding control to the opposition.
Ancelotti under pressure
The Italian manager, who signed a new four-year contract worth £8.5 million annually just months before the tournament, now faces calls for his dismissal. Former international Neto led the criticism on Radio Bandeirantes, describing the campaign as “shameful” and the current generation as “losers.”
Ancelotti acknowledged Brazil’s squad requires significant renewal. “It’s very evident that in the midfield, we have to move some players,” he stated. “We need some young talent. We need some high-level players to be able to come into Brazil to play for the national team.”
He added: “I don’t think it’s the end; it’s the beginning of the new cycle.” However, with Brazil having failed to reach the semi-finals in three successive World Cups, the immediate priority is rebuilding ahead of the next Copa América in two years.
For Ståle Solbakken’s Norway, the victory marks uncharted territory. They will prepare for quarter-final football while Brazil confront their longest barren spell in World Cup history.