Brazilian star Neymar, fresh off a recent return to action with Santos following knee surgery, has hinted at possibly retiring by December 2026 amid ongoing injury issues, though he remains optimistic about Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old, who extended his Santos contract through 2026 in January, says he is taking his career day by day.
In interviews with Brazilian online channel Caze, Neymar expressed uncertainty about his future. "I don't know what the future holds for me. It's possible that in December I'll want to retire. I'm living day by day," the Brazil all-time leading scorer (79 goals in 128 caps) said.
Having rejoined boyhood club Santos in January 2025 after spells at Barcelona, PSG, and Al Hilal, Neymar underwent knee surgery in December 2025. He made his comeback last week but has been rested for some matches to ensure full recovery. "I wanted to come back at 100% this season, which is why I was rested for some matches," he explained. "Santos has put an excellent plan in place."
The January contract extension underscored his initial aim for the 2026 World Cup, but recent comments reflect persistent challenges. Neymar has not featured for Brazil since October 2023 and is targeting a recall under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. Brazil, in Group C with Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland, starts against Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, followed by Haiti in Philadelphia and Scotland in Miami.
While the retirement talk has concerned fans, Neymar reaffirmed his focus on club and country ahead of the tournament.
