Neymar retires from Seleção after Norway defeat; Ancelotti insists 'it's the beginning of a new cycle'
Neymar Jr announced his international retirement after Brazil's 2-1 loss to Norway in the World Cup last 16, while coach Carlo Ancelotti called the defeat 'the beginning of a new cycle'.
Neymar's farewell
Neymar Jr confirmed his retirement from the Brazilian national team after the 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16 at MetLife Stadium.
I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here, I finished here...
Neymar's records
Despite the loss, Neymar set two records. His appearance against Norway was his 15th World Cup match wearing the number 10 shirt, surpassing Pelé and Rivaldo (14 each). He also became only the second player, after Pelé, to score in four different World Cups, with goals in 2014 (4), 2018 (2), 2022 (2) and 2026 (1).
- 2014
- 4
- 2018
- 2
- 2022
- 2
- 2026
- 1
Ancelotti looks to the future
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is contracted until 2030, insisted the elimination is not the end.
He added:We are all deeply saddened. The team didn't have a spectacular World Cup but a good one. Today we deserved to win.
He ruled out leaving his post and stressed the need to find new ideas and develop young players from the Brazilian league.This defeat is not the end, it's the beginning of a new cycle.
Match turning points
Brazil had a chance to take the lead early when Bruno Guimaraes stepped up for a penalty in the 15th minute, but he missed. Ancelotti explained that the team's penalty statistics over the past year pointed to Guimaraes as the best option on the pitch. Neymar was introduced later to add quality in the final third, but Norway scored twice to secure the win.
What's next for Brazil
The defeat extends Brazil's wait for a sixth World Cup title to 24 years since their last triumph in 2002. Ancelotti vowed to continue working and improving the squad, acknowledging that Norway had players who made the difference.
We have to evaluate the opponent. It's clear that in midfield we need top-level young players to emerge, but we have players in Brazilian football who can be in the national team in the future.
