Neymar ´living year to year´ as he contemplates retirement

Neymar has suggested he could announce his retirement at the end of 2026, with the Brazil forward acknowledging he is “living year to year.”

The 34-year-old has endured a seemingly endless battle with injuries in recent years, undergoing minor knee surgery in December.

Neymar, who is under contract with Santos until the end of the calendar year, made his return to action as a substitute during their victory over Velo Clubeto in the Campeonato Paulista last weekend.

Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player will hope to feature for his country at the World Cup for a fourth time in June.

E aí, sabe dizer quantos gols de falta eu já marquei pelo Santos?#CançãoAlimentos #TorcidaCanção #publi pic.twitter.com/aNyQwvMVyU

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) February 20, 2026

It is likely to be Neymar’s last crack at glory with Brazil, who have not lifted the trophy since 2002, and he is contemplating his future in the game.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” he told Brazilian channel Caze.

“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.

“We will see what my heart decides. It depends on what my heart says later in the year.

“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. I wanted to play this season at 100%.”