Neymar drops retirement hint as 2026 World Cup looms on the horizon

Brazilian football icon Neymar has hinted that he may retire at the end of the year.

The 34-year-old returned to Santos last January following an 18-month spell with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

AFP

However, the Samba star endured an injury hit season back in his homeland having made just 17 league starts.

Neymar played through the pain to rescue boyhood side Santos as they beat the drop by four points.

And last month he extended his contract with the Brazilian giants through until the end of the 2026 Brasileirao season.

That said, the former Barcelona and PSG man is yet to make a league start this season following knee surgery.

And the forward has admitted he is “living year by year” at this stage of his career.

Ney-more

Speaking with Brazilian outlet CazeTV, Neymar was asked about his future, saying: “I don’t know what will happen from now on. It could be that December arrives and I want to retire.

“I’m living year by year. There’s this year, which is very important not only for Santos, but for the Brazilian national team, and for me as well.”

Neymar still harbours World Cup hopes as Brazil gear up to try and win a record-setting sixth title in North America this summer, despite not making an appearance for the national team since 2023 owing to fitness issues.

The holder of the world’s most expensive transfer tag, set when he moved to Paris-Saint Germain in 2017, has also confirmed that he needs to be 100% fit in order to make Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad.

“I managed to come back very well in this last game,” Neymar continued

AFP

“I’m happy and calm to have returned a little better than I was before.

“Obviously, I need to gain a little more rhythm, but it’s with perseverance that I will reach my 100 per cent.

“I’ll live year by year. I don’t know what will happen from now on, it will be up to my heart. It’s one day at a time.”

O Ney

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has previously outlined the conditions Neymar must meet in order to boost his World Cup chances.

Earlier this month, the Italian addressed whether the Selecao squad selection was already set, saying: “It is not decided. At the first press conference, I said that Brazil is fortunate to have many good players.

“The list is not closed, but we are close to the final squad. There are some positions that are not completely defined.”

Getty

Ancelotti has previously described Neymar as “the most talented player in the country” prompting speculation that the 128-cap winning forward will make the World Cup squad.

Neymar’s Santos side have made a disappointing start to the 2026 Brasileirao season, picking up just one point from their opening three games.