Tearful Neymar retires from Brazil after WC exit
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- Neymar said his Brazil career had "finished" after Sunday's 2-1 round-of-16 loss to Norway, telling Globo: "I tried, I tried. Now, it's over" — the same MetLife Stadium where he made his 2010 international debut
- Erling Haaland scored both Norwegian goals, eliminating Brazil in their earliest World Cup exit since 1990 and sending Norway to the quarterfinals
- Neymar finishes as Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals — three ahead of Pelé — and 130 caps, second only to Cafu's 142 appearances
- A nagging right calf injury limited Neymar to just two of Brazil's five tournament games: 15 minutes against Scotland and a 67th-minute substitute appearance versus Norway
- Neymar became just the second Brazilian man, alongside Pelé, to score in four World Cups thanks to his stoppage-time consolation penalty
- Carlo Ancelotti called the loss "very disappointing" but said Brazil would use it as "fuel for the new cycle," with the next generation now taking over
Why it matters: Neymar exits as Brazil's all-time top scorer (80 goals) and one of only two Brazilian men to score in four World Cups, closing a 16-year international career that began with his August 2010 debut at the same MetLife Stadium. Brazil faces a generational reset under Ancelotti after their earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.
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