Neymar's father urges son to keep playing after Brazil's World Cup exit

Neymar has confirmed his international retirement following a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. The 34-year-old was visibly devastated on the pitch as the loss marked Brazil's earliest tournament exit since 1990.

Despite scoring a penalty to become Brazil's first player to reach 80 international goals, Neymar admitted his time with the national team has come to an end. He leaves the stage after a 16-year journey that included a 2013 Confederations Cup title and Olympic gold in 2016.

I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here; I finished here. Neymar

While Neymar appears set on his decision to step away from international football, his father, Neymar Senior, has issued a public plea for his son to continue his professional career. In a social media post, he asked the forward to find the strength to keep playing at the club level, citing the importance of the game to their family.

The plea comes as questions surround the forward's future following recurring fitness issues that nearly kept him out of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the tournament. With the national team chapter closed, the focus now shifts to whether the Brazilian icon will heed his father's advice and continue his legacy on the pitch elsewhere.