3 min learnJul 7, 2026 09:12 PM IST
Legendary German participant Lothar Matthaus mentioned that he was glad Brazil crashed out of the World Cup whereas additionally accusing Neymar of placing his ego forward of the workforce’s wants within the Spherical of 16 match vs Norway final week. Brazil had been shocked by the Norwegians when Erling Haaland scored a brace for Norway earlier than Neymar transformed a penalty within the fag finish of he match as the competition ended 2-1 in favour of the Scandinavian nation.
“It pleases me that Brazil are out. I merely can’t stand this moaning and gesticulating anymore. As a substitute of taking the penalty rapidly, Neymar argued with the goalkeeper each earlier than and after the shot. You’ll be able to see from this behaviour that he places his ego above the success of the workforce,” Matthaus wrote in his column for Sky Germany.
One in all Brazilian soccer’s most flamboyant abilities, Neymar was decreased to tears following the two–1 defeat to Norway, which introduced the Seleção’s marketing campaign to a crushing halt on Monday.
An inconsolable Neymar confirmed that he has performed his final recreation for the nationwide workforce.
“I attempted, I attempted… Now it’s over! I began right here, I completed right here,” Neymar mentioned, gesturing to the very stadium in New Jersey the place he had made his Brazil debut in a pleasant in opposition to america again in 2010. In opposition to Norway, he got here off the bench and scored a late penalty within the closing minutes, but it surely proved inadequate to rescue his aspect.
The 34-year-old introduced down the curtain on his Brazil profession with 80 objectives and 58 assists in 130 appearances. His retirement brings to an finish some of the celebrated worldwide careers in Brazilian soccer. Throughout his time with the Selecao, Neymar helped the nation elevate the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and gained the Olympic gold medal on house soil on the Rio 2016 Video games.
The Spherical of 16 exit marks Brazil’s earliest World Cup knockout-stage departure since 1990. Probably the most profitable nation in World Cup historical past now finds itself getting ready to its longest drought with out lifting the trophy since its first triumph. By 2030, the Seleção could have gone 28 years with no world title.