Brazilian football star Neymar has indicated he may retire from professional soccer as early as December, casting a shadow over the remainder of his career with FC Santos and potentially jeopardizing his participation in this summer’s World Cup.
The 34-year-old, currently playing for his boyhood club after a stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, revealed his contemplation of early retirement in an interview with the online channel “Caze.” “I don’t know what the future holds, I don’t know what will happen next year. Maybe I want to end my career in December,” he stated, according to reports. This comes after a return to Santos in January 2025, where he scored 16 goals to help the club avoid relegation, but has been hampered by recurring injury concerns this season, appearing in only two matches.
Neymar’s career has been marked by both spectacular success and frustrating setbacks. He remains the most expensive footballer of all time, having transferred to Paris Saint-Germain from FC Barcelona in 2017 for a reported €222 million. While he achieved significant individual accolades, a coveted Ballon d’Or has eluded him. His move to Al Hilal in 2023, following six seasons at PSG, was described at the time as a move to embrace “novel challenges and opportunities,” according to Neymar himself.
The timing of a potential retirement is closely linked to his fitness and form heading into the World Cup. Brazil’s national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has emphasized that only a fully fit Neymar will earn a place in the squad. “Let’s hope Neymar reaches his best level,” Ancelotti said, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the player’s inclusion. Neymar acknowledged the importance of the year, stating, “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 of course for me too. It is a big challenge.”
Neymar’s contract with Santos currently runs until the end of 2026, but his recent comments suggest that he is evaluating his future on a year-by-year basis. “I’m now living from year to year. We’ll see what my heart decides. It depends on what my heart tells me later in the year,” he explained. The possibility of a December retirement leaves his future uncertain, and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can regain full fitness and secure a place in the World Cup squad, or if his illustrious career will conclude sooner than expected.
