Erling Haaland put on a show at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, scoring a brace to lead Norway past Brazil, 2-1, in the Round of 16. Neymar Jr. got Brazil on the board with a converted penalty in the closing seconds, but it was too little, too late as the score line barely tells the story of how comfortably Norway controlled the match.
The loss stings for Brazil, whose World Cup title drought now stretches even longer than before. But for all the tactical talk, the moment everyone will remember is Neymar standing on the pitch when the final whistle blew. He was inconsolable, seemingly aware that he’d just played his last match in that famous yellow kit.
The last dance: Once a legend, always a legend
His inclusion on the roster was a surprise from the jump. At 34, coming off knee surgery, and having played sparingly for his club all season, plenty of people questioned whether Neymar even belonged on the plane. Carlo Ancelotti brought him anyway, giving the superstar one final shot at the trophy that’s eluded him his entire career, calling it his Last Dance.
Unfortunately, the tournament never really got going for him. An injury before the World Cup limited his minutes, and when Ancelotti did call his number, Neymar looked like a shadow of the player who once terrorized defenses on the biggest stages. The late penalty against Norway was a small moment of magic in an otherwise forgettable send-off, but it also may have been his last competitive touch in a Brazil shirt.
A Career Worth Remembering
Whatever happens next, Neymar’s résumé speaks for itself:
- One of the most decorated Brazilian players of his generation, with major trophies at both Barcelona and PSG
- A dazzling highlight reel of skill moves that made him a global icon well beyond the pitch
- Multiple Copa América and Olympic gold-medal runs with the Brazilian national team
- Years spent among the most feared attacking talents in world football, even through injury-plagued stretches
Whether this truly was his final World Cup remains to be seen, but the match on Sunday sure felt like the closing chapter.
What a journey it has been, thank you, Neymar for giving us a glimpse into your passion and undying love for football.
At the time of writing, the match of England and Mexico is ongoing, with England leading the scoreboard at 3 – 2 at just 60 minutes in.
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