Following Brazil's shock exit from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16 in New Jersey last Sunday, Neymar announced his retirement from international football. However, in a dramatic twist, his father, Neymar da Silva Santos Sr., has taken to social media to plead with his son not to hang up his boots completely.
Despite scoring a stoppage-time penalty to become the first Brazilian to reach 80 international goals, Neymar admitted that his time with the Selecao had come to an end.
The forward, who was left inconsolable on the pitch after the final whistle, addressed the media in a sombre mixed zone.
"I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here; I finished here," he told reporters.
The announcement signalled the end of a 16-year international career that saw him win the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and lead Brazil to Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
In response, Neymar Sr. publicly appealed to his son not to walk away from football altogether. In a heartfelt social media post, he urged Neymar to continue playing at club level, emphasising the importance of the sport to their family.
"I want to make a request as a father. Ney, keep playing football, please," Neymar's father wrote.
Statistically, Neymar ends his international career with 130 caps, 80 goals, and 59 assists. He is Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, having surpassed Pelé. However, Sunday's defeat to Norway also underscored the end of a difficult era for the five-time world champions.
The loss marked Brazil's seventh successive knockout-stage defeat to European opposition.
Despite his individual achievements, the elusive World Cup trophy remained out of reach for Neymar, who carried the weight of a nation's expectations across four World Cup campaigns.