Neymar retirement hint emerges as Brazil star says he may quit after injuries but hopes to play at the World Cup first

Former Brazil captain Neymar has admitted he could retire at the end of the year following persistent injury setbacks, though the forward hopes to feature at the next World Cup before making any final decision.

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The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker returned in January 2025 to his boyhood club Santos FC after a spell with Al-Hilal.

Despite extending his Santos contract until the end of 2026, Neymar missed the start of the current Brazilian season after undergoing knee surgery in December.

The 34-year-old made his comeback as a second-half substitute in a São Paulo state championship match on 16 February, 11 days after his birthday.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” Neymar told Brazilian online channel Caze. “It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, two more than Pelé, has not represented the national team since suffering a serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023.

Since taking charge of Brazil last May, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to recall Neymar to the squad.

“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. “So it’s a huge challenge.”

The Neymar Retirement Hint underscores a career that has delivered glittering club success and individual acclaim but has increasingly been disrupted by injuries in recent seasons.