Neymar announces retirement from international football following Brazil's World Cup exit
Brazilian forward Neymar has announced he will no longer play for his national team after its elimination from the World Cup. The decision follows a two to one loss to Norway in the round of 16.
Amalgamated from Indian Express (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab)
Neymar, a prominent forward for Brazil, has announced he is retiring from international football following the national team's exit from the World Cup. He made the announcement on Sunday after the squad was eliminated during the round of 16.
The decision follows a two to one defeat against Norway. Reports from France 24 state that Neymar confirmed his retirement shortly after the match concluded.
In statements reported by the Indian Express, Neymar reflected on his tenure with the national team, saying: "I tried, I tried... now it's over." The move concludes a period where he served as one of the most prominent figures in the Brazilian squad.
The announcement comes specifically after the five-time World Cup winners were knocked out by Norway. His retirement marks the end of his career representing Brazil on the international stage.
Why this matters
The retirement of a high-profile player like Neymar significantly impacts the composition and depth of the Brazilian national team for future competitions. It concludes an era for one of the most prominent figures in modern Brazilian football.
What's confirmed / what isn't
All reporting sources agree that Neymar announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's loss to Norway and that he made this statement shortly after the match concluded.
Background
Neymar is a professional footballer who has been a mainstay of the Brazil national team since 2013. Brazil is historically one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, having won the tournament five times.