Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Neymar international career has ended with a rare symmetry after the Brazil forward scored his first and final goals for his country at MetLife Stadium in the United States.
The 34-year-old converted a consolation penalty against Norway at the World Cup, then announced his retirement from international football after Brazil exited in the last 16.
The story adds another strange twist to the wider World Cup debate, including Belgium’s Trump troll and other World Cup quick hits, as the tournament keeps producing talking points beyond the pitch.
Neymar’s MetLife Link
Neymar’s first Brazil goal came on 10 August 2010 against the United States, when the 18-year-old scored with a header past Tim Howard on debut.
Nearly 16 years later, he scored his 80th Brazil goal in his 130th appearance, rolling a penalty past Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland at the same stadium.
The official FIFA World Cup site remains the main source for tournament fixtures, scores and match records.
A Rare International Feat
The unusual career bookend has sparked comparisons with other famous players who scored at both ends of their international careers.
Zinedine Zidane scored twice on his France debut against the Czech Republic in 1994 and also scored in the 2006 World Cup final, but those goals came in Bordeaux and Berlin.
Mexico striker Enrique Borja came close, scoring on debut against Chile before the 1966 World Cup and again in his final match against the United States in 1975. Both games were in Mexico City, but at different stadiums.
Brazil Farewell Brings Mixed Emotion
Brazil’s defeat to Norway closed a painful chapter for the five-time world champions. For Neymar, though, the final act carried personal meaning.
From a teenage debutant with big expectation to Brazil’s record-setting scorer, his national team story ended at the same venue where it first caught fire.
