Brazil: Superstar striker Neymar, who recently extended his contract with his childhood club Santos FC, has suggested he may retire by the end of 2026.
The 34-year-old forward returned to Santos in January 2025 and played a pivotal role in helping the club avoid relegation in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five goals in their last five matches.
However, Neymar, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, remains uncertain about participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. “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,” he told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday.
“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,” Neymar added.
Having recently undergone successful knee surgery, Neymar holds the record for Brazil with 79 international goals, but he has not played for the national team since October 2023.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has emphasized that only fully fit players will be considered for the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
