Former Brazilian national team captain Neymar has expressed thoughts of retiring by the end of the year due to ongoing injury concerns, although he aspires to participate in the upcoming World Cup before considering stepping away from the sport.
The renowned forward, who has previously played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, made a comeback to his childhood club Santos in January 2025 after transferring from Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Following a season marked by injuries, Neymar prolonged his contract until the conclusion of 2026. However, he faced a setback at the commencement of the Brazilian season in January, having undergone knee surgery in late December.
In an interview with Brazilian online channel Caze, Neymar shared uncertainties about his future, stating, “I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year. It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”
Making his comeback as a substitute in a Sao Paulo championship match on February 16, just 11 days after turning 34, Neymar acknowledged his cautious approach to ensure his full recovery, affirming, “Obviously, I wanted to come back to help my team in the best way possible, but I ended up holding back a little so I could come back 100 per cent.”
Despite being Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 goals, surpassing the legendary Pele by two goals, Neymar has been absent from the national team since sustaining a serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has not included Neymar in the squad since assuming the role in May.
Reflecting on the significance of the current year, Neymar emphasized its importance for Santos, the Brazilian national team, and himself, especially with the World Cup approaching. He described the upcoming challenges as substantial and crucial for his career.
