Read 3 minutes7 Jul 2026 09:12 PM IST
German legend Lothar Matthaus said he was happy Brazil were out of the World Cup and accused Neymar of putting his ego ahead of the team’s needs in last week’s round of 16 match against Norway. Brazil were shocked by the Norwegians when Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway before Neymar converted his late penalty as the contest ended 2-1 in favor of the Scandinavian nation.
“I’m happy that Brazil is out. I can’t stand this outrage and gesture anymore. Instead of taking the penalty quickly, Neymar argued with the goalkeeper before and after the shot. You can see from this behavior that he puts his ego above the success of the team,” Matthäus wrote in his German column for Sky.
One of the brightest talents in Brazilian football, Neymar broke down in tears after the 2-1 defeat by Norway that brought the Selecao’s campaign to a halt on Monday.
an unbearable Neymar confirmed that he has played his last match for the national team.
“I tried, I tried… it’s over now! I started here, I finished here,” Neymar said, gesturing to the very stadium in New Jersey where he made his Brazil debut in a friendly against the United States in 2010. Against Norway, he came off the bench and vindicated his defense by scoring a late penalty in the final minutes.
The 34-year-old ended his Brazil career with 80 goals and 58 assists in 130 appearances. His retirement marked the end of one of the most famous international careers in Brazilian football. While with the Selecao, Neymar helped the country win the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and Olympic gold on home soil at the Rio 2016 Games.
The round of 16 exit marks Brazil’s first World Cup knockout exit since 1990. The most successful nation in World Cup history is now on the brink of its longest drought without lifting the trophy since its first victory. By 2030, the Selecao will have gone 28 years without a world title.