Neymar's Brazil career ends in the most on-brand of ways vs. Norway

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Neymar smiled.

It was the oddest thing to see, because it was the final seconds of stoppage time, and his penalty kick goal past Norway had only pulled Brazil within 2-1. They were almost certainly out of the World Cup. But there the legendary Neymar was, with a smile on his face.

He'd found an opponent within the game -- Orjan Nyland, the Norway goalie, had been trash talking Neymar in the lead-up to his penalty. When Brazil's No. 10 slotted the ball home, he jabbed right back at Nyland.

Except the last laugh? Yeah, Nyland and Norway got to have it.

Neymar instead got to sit on the pitch, dejected, knowing this was it.

It was a surprise that Neymar had even made the squad after injury troubles had robbed him of so much ability.

And in the end, he hardly contributed to Brazil's team at this tournament. They may have been better served bringing someone else.

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Is Neymar retiring?

There's no telling whether an announcement will come soon or not, but Neymar's Brazil World Cup career is almost certainly over.

And with this ending, a meaningless penalty capping it off, his legacy seems to fall in an odd place.

Neymar was meant to be the next great Brazilian legend, and at his peak, he certainly seemed to fit the mold.

But in the end, he didn't win the only trophy that Brazilian footballers really want. Neymar never won a World Cup.

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The final picture will be him, grinning and then yelling at the Norwegian goalkeeper, moments away from being eliminated in the Round of 16, so far from the player he once was -- and so far from the prize he failed to get.

Neymar is an all-time great.

He was also flawed, and this ending fit that brand spot on.