Brazilian Neymar (AP Photo)
Neymar’s father has made an emotional plea for his son following the Brazilian striker’s decision to retire from international football following the end of the Seleção’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.After Brazil’s exit in the round of 16, Neymar Bey took to social media with a heartfelt message, urging his son not to walk away from the game he dedicated his life to.“I want to make a request as a father. Son, keep playing football.” Neymar’s father wrote.
This emotional post came shortly after Neymar confirmed that his international career was over following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway at MetLife Stadium.The five-time world champions saw their hopes of lifting a sixth World Cup title dashed when Erling Haaland scored twice, with Neymar’s stoppage-time penalty serving as only consolation.Moments after the defeat, the 34-year-old announced that he had played his last match for Brazil.Neymar told reporters, “I tried and tried. Now it’s over. I started here and finished here.”Although Brazil’s campaign ended in disappointment, Neymar signed on as the country’s all-time top scorer.The late penalty, awarded after Leo Ostegaard was penalized for Casemiro’s foul in extra time, was his first goal of the tournament.
He also raised his international record to 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 matches for Brazil.During a glittering international career spanning more than a decade, Neymar helped Brazil win the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and led the country to an Olympic gold medal on home soil at the 2016 Rio Games.His place in Brazil’s World Cup squad was uncertain until the final stages of selection due to ongoing fitness concerns.
However, coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to include the experienced striker in his 26-man squad, hoping Neymar can inspire another deep run in football’s biggest tournament.Instead, Brazil’s campaign ended earlier than expected.Norway absorbed the constant Brazilian pressure before Haaland opened the scoring in the 79th minute, rising high to head home Andreas Schildrup’s cross. Brazil found a late response through Neymar’s penalty kick, but it was not enough to prevent elimination.The defeat reinforced Brazil’s difficult record recently in the World Cup, as it suffered its seventh consecutive defeat in the knockout stage against a European competitor, and Brazil’s closest exit from the tournament since 1990.While Neymar’s international season is now over, his father’s emotional plea made clear he hopes his son will continue to play club football.