Neymar announces retirement from international football - 'I tried'

Neymar announced retirement from international football, bringing an end to his Brazil career after a campaign that did not deliver another major breakthrough. Speaking to TV Globo, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward said: “I tried,” explaining that the tournament phase began at MetLife Stadium and ended there for him. Neymar appeared with 25 minutes remaining and missed a chance to overturn Brazil’s elimination, even after a late penalty. The article notes he is likely to finish without World Cups or Ballons d’Or, and with only one UEFA Champions League, despite earlier expectations that he would succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Brazil’s hopes also ended again in a quarter-final scenario, following prior exits in 2018 and 2022, and a record 80th international goal for his penalty against Norway. Injuries, including an ACL in 2023, have repeatedly affected his international run.