Neymar has dropped hints that he could retire from football by the end of 2026, as he takes stock of his career and carefully manages his fitness.
Neymar's recent outing
The 34-year-old recently renewed his contract with his boyhood club Santos but said he is approaching things one year at a time and hasn’t ruled out ending his playing days later this year. Since returning to Santos in January 2025, Neymar has played a key role in helping the team stay in Brazil’s top division, scoring five goals in the final five matches of the season to help avoid relegation.
Despite rediscovering form, Neymar remains uncertain about the future.
“I don't know what will happen from now on, I don't know about next year,” he told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday. “It may be that when December comes, I'll want to retire. I'm living year to year now.”
He also highlighted how important the year is, both for Santos and for Brazil. “This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it's a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said, underlining that the months ahead could define the next chapter of his career.
Will Neymar feature in FIFA World Cup 2026?
Neymar recently went under the knife for his knee surgery and continues to manage recurring injuries that have affected the later stages of his career. Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has not played for the national team since October 2023, that raise questions about his participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that only fully fit players will be considered for the marquee event, which is scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Neymar on comeback
The star playmaker has emphasised taking a careful, step-by-step approach to his comeback, prioritising long-term fitness over rushing back too soon.
“I wanted to come back at 100% this season, which is why I was rested for some matches. I know a lot of people are saying all sorts of things and don’t understand the day-to-day reality, but I have to face it," Neymar explained.
He also praised Santos for supporting him through the process. “Santos has put an excellent plan in place regarding this. Of course, I wanted to come back to help my team, but in the end, I preferred to rest myself so I could come back at 100%, pain-free, fear-free, and in top form."