Neymar has hinted that the 2026 season could be his last, but the Brazilian superstar has made one thing clear — he wants one final shot at the FIFA World Cup with Brazil.
Speaking to Caz TV, the 34-year-old admitted that retirement is a possibility at the end of next year. However, with the World Cup on the horizon, his immediate focus remains on returning to peak condition and fighting for a place in Brazil’s squad.
“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year… It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now,” Neymar said.
“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,” he added.
The comments come at a delicate phase of his career. Neymar returned to boyhood club Santos nearly 12 years after leaving for Barcelona, following an injury-plagued spell at Paris Saint-Germain and a brief stint at Saudi side Al Hilal. Santos have since extended his contract until December 2026, but questions around his long-term future continue to linger.
NEYMAR’S INJURY PROBLEMS
Fitness has been Neymar’s biggest opponent in recent years.
Since January 2025, recurring injuries have significantly restricted his game time. He has featured in 29 matches in that period, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, but has spent close to 200 days on the sidelines. A serious knee issue, which required surgery, kept him out for an extended stretch and disrupted his rhythm once again.
He only recently returned to action after recovering from that setback. While flashes of quality remain, consistency has been hard to build with constant interruptions. At 34, the physical toll is evident, and it has inevitably led to conversations about how much longer he can compete at the highest level.
Despite the setbacks, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances — a record that underlines his importance to the national side.
WILL NEYMAR PLAY FIFA WORLD CUP 2026?
The bigger question is whether he will make Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar last represented Brazil in October 2023. Since then, injuries have kept him out of contention. Under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have been building a refreshed identity, with players like Raphinha and Rodrygo stepping into leading attacking roles.
Reports suggest Ancelotti has not closed the door on Neymar’s return but has made it clear there will be no special treatment. The condition is simple, Neymar must prove he is physically ready to perform at the highest level.
Brazil have been drawn in Group C alongside Haiti, Scotland and Morocco. If Neymar regains full fitness and form at Santos, he could yet script one final international chapter.
