Neymar indicates end of international career after Brazil's World Cup exit
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Brazil's Neymar suggested his international career has concluded following the team's elimination from the World Cup in the last 16 by Norway. Neymar, 34, entered as a late substitute and scored a penalty in injury time, but Norway secured a 2-1 victory with two goals from Erling Haaland. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, stated to Globo Esporte, "I tried, and I tried. Now it鈥檚 over. It began here, and it ends here." He was visibly emotional after the match. Despite recent injuries, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, now with Santos, was a surprise selection for Brazil's World Cup squad. He missed Brazil's first two group games due to injury but played in the 3-0 win against Scotland and against Norway, which marked his first international appearances since October 2023.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, commended the resilience of African teams at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a post on her X account, she highlighted Morocco and Egypt for advancing, and described Cape Verde as a standout African side. Okonjo-Iweala also acknowledged the efforts of DR Congo, C么te d鈥橧voire, and Ghana despite their exits, noting they "fought bravely." She expressed optimism for Nigeria's qualification in the next FIFA World Cup, hoping to see the Super Eagles on the global stage.
Must ReadPortugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance in the tournament, expressing his focus on enjoying every moment. Speaking ahead of Portugal鈥檚 Round of 16 match against Spain, the 41-year-old stated he would retire from international football with no regrets, having given his all to the sport. Ronaldo emphasized that his continued motivation stems from passion, not a need to prove anything. He has had a notable campaign, becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups and registering his first World Cup knockout goal. He described this tournament as the most emotionally rewarding of his career due to the passion of the fans. Ronaldo believes his legacy will not be defined by winning the World Cup, noting that age brings maturity and experience. The Al-Nassr player also expressed gratitude for criticism, stating it has helped him grow as a person.
Bandits killed at least nine farmers and kidnapped several others in a raid on Kakangi village in Kaduna State, northwestern Nigeria. A security report prepared for the United Nations stated that attackers swept into farmlands outside Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari district on Saturday and shot farmers. Nine bodies have been recovered, with six victims identified by local authorities. Kabiru Ishaq, a community leader in Birnin Gwari, reported 10 fatalities. The attack was reportedly in retaliation for farmers killing a bandit during a failed robbery attempt earlier the same day. Kaduna is among several states in northern and central Nigeria affected by these gangs, who raid villages, kill and kidnap residents for ransom, and loot homes. Attacks on farming communities in the agrarian Birnin Gwari district have persisted despite a November 2024 peace agreement between local authorities and bandits. Last month, at least six farmers were killed and 20 kidnapped in an attack on Danauta village in the same district.