Pic: AFP
DOHA: Neymar’s remarkable journey with Brazil came full circle yesterday as the Selecao’s all-time leading goalscorer announced his retirement from international football following a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
The emotional farewell unfolded at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the very venue where Neymar introduced himself to the international stage as an 18-year-old in 2010.
Sixteen years later, the legendary forward scored one final goal for Brazil from the penalty spot in the 100th minute, but it was only a consolation as Brazil suffered their earliest World Cup exit since 1990.
Despite scoring in his last minutes in Brazil colours, it was a heartbreaking end to one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.
Long before becoming a global superstar, Neymar's extraordinary talent was evident from childhood. Discovered at the age of six while playing beach soccer, his first coach, Betinho, was immediately struck by his exceptional balance, agility and coordination. Unlike many academy graduates, Neymar refined his dazzling dribbling, creativity and trademark joga bonito style through countless hours of futsal and street football in Sao Paulo.
His potential quickly attracted attention. Santos handed him a contract at just 11 years old, while his family famously rejected approaches from Real Madrid when he was only 14, choosing instead to allow him to continue his development in Brazil.
Neymar made his professional debut for Santos in March 2009 at the age of 17 and scored his first goal just days later with a spectacular diving header. Over the next four years, he became one of South America's brightest stars, scoring 136 goals and leading Santos to their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly five decades in 2011.
His move to Barcelona in 2013 elevated him to global superstardom. Alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Neymar formed the iconic "MSN" attacking trio that guided the Catalan club to a historic treble in 2015.
He later joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222 million transfer, a fee that remains the highest ever paid in football, before injuries interrupted much of his time in France. After a brief spell with Al Hilal, Neymar completed an emotional return to Santos in 2025.
His international career began in unforgettable fashion on August 10, 2010, when he scored with a header on his Brazil debut against the United States at MetLife Stadium. It proved to be the beginning of an extraordinary chapter that saw him surpass Pele's long-standing scoring record, finishing with 80 goals in 130 appearances for the Selecao.
Throughout his career, Neymar delivered some of football's defining moments, from winning the FIFA Puskás Award in 2011 to captaining Brazil to their first Olympic football gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. He also played a central role in Barcelona's famous Champions League triumph and their historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Persistent injuries, however, increasingly disrupted the latter stages of his career. An ACL injury in 2023 sidelined him for an extended period, while a recurring calf problem limited his involvement at this year's World Cup. Carefully managed by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, Neymar appeared only twice during the tournament before making his final appearance against Norway.
After the match, an emotional Neymar confirmed the end of his international career.
"I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here, I finished here," he said.
Neymar leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that extends far beyond goals and trophies. With 491 career goals, 262 assists and 28 major titles, he established himself as one of the defining players of his generation. For Brazil, however, his greatest achievement may simply be the joy, creativity and flair he brought every time he wore the famous yellow shirt.
