Brazil’s Neymar (10) scores a goal from a penalty kick during the World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway
| Photo Credit: AP
Brazilian star forward Neymar ended his international football career on the heels of an emotional end to Brazil’s World Cup dreams on July 5, when the team lost to Norway 2-1. Neymar has had a storied World Cup career filled with injuries and moments of brilliance, and an international goal track record similar to Brazilian greats like Pele.
With 80 goals for his country, he is three ahead of Pele. When he equalled Pele’s goals for Brazil’s national team, he had played in 124 games, compared to Pele’s 92. Overall, Neymar has scored 9 goals in 15 matches across World Cup editions. Pele scored 12 goals in 14 matches. Additionally, Pele had won the World Cup three times.
Entering this tournament, Neymar had a calf muscle injury and could not play in three of Brazil’s five games. Earlier in October 2023, he suffered a serious knee injury, after which he struggled to maintain form. Despite doubt about his inclusion in this year’s World Cup squad, he returned to the national team after 981 days away.
Neymar’s World Cup goals
Looking at his club football career, Neymar has played in three prominent clubs – Santos, Barcelona and PSG, besides playing for the national team.
Neymar’s last appearance happened in the same stadium where he got his first international cap in 2010. He debuted as an 18-year-old against the United States in a friendly match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, his first match playing for Brazil.
Now, 16 years later, he bid an emotional adieu. “I tried, I tried … Now it’s over! I started here, I finished here,” the 34-year-old player said, moved to tears after the team’s elimination last week.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Published – July 09, 2026 04:52 pm IST
