Neymar had a fiery exchange with Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland after scoring a consolation goal in Brazil’s World Cup defeat.
Brazil, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, were knocked out in the last-16 stage after losing 2-1 to underdogs Norway.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored a late brace to send Norway into the quarter-finals at the expense of the most successful team in World Cup history.
Neymar, whose place in the Brazil squad caused much debate, came off the bench with the score goalless and watched on as Norway stormed into the quarters.
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The 34-year-old former Barcelona and PSG winger did at least score a late consolation goal from the penalty spot after ex-Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was elbowed while challenging for a header.
Norway goalkeeper Nyland did his best to try to put off Neymar while he was preparing to take the spot-kick, with the pair seen sharing a fiery exchange before the referee blew his whistle.
Nyland was seemingly in confident mood having saved an earlier penalty from Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after a contentious VAR review.
The exchange did not put off Neymar, thought, and the Santos star calmy slotted past Nyland before trotting up to his opponent and again exchanging words.
DAZN say Neymar repeatedly asked Nyland ‘where do you want it?’ before taking the penalty, with the Norway goalkeeper responding: ‘I’ll stop it for you, I’ll stop it’.
After scoring from the spot, Neymar was spotted telling Nyland: ‘Not to me! Not to me!’ – essentially telling his rival not to try mind games of a player of his level.
Neymar is an icon in Brazil having surpassed the legendary Pele as the nation’s top goalscorer back in 2023.
But even some Brazilian fans were frustrated by Neymar’s reaction after the penalty as he seemed more concerned about goading Nyland than retrieving the ball in the hope of a late equaliser.
One fan posted on X: ‘Neymar giving big ones to Nyland, who already saved a penalty this game and has won the game and is heading to the quarter-finals. Embarrassing.’
Neymar was in tears on the pitch after Brazil’s World Cup elimination was confirmed and proceeded to announce his international retirement.
‘I tried again and again. Now, it’s over,’ Neymar said.
Legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti took over Brazil last year in the hope of guiding the nation to yet another World Cup title.
After failling short, Ancelotti said: ‘I think we are all extremely sad, because I see that the team has delivered not an exceptional World Cup but a good one.
‘I also think that in today’s match we deserved to win. When you go through a moment like this, you have to think that the loss is the beginning of a new adventure, and a new season.
‘We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas. I believe that this loss is not the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.’
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