Neymar considered retirement after injury struggles

January 06, 2026 • 0 • min read

Table of Contents

Neymar considered retirement after injury struggles

Neymar's long-running injury struggles nearly pushed him into retirement, according to his father, who has revealed the mental and physical toll endured by the Brazilian superstar amid recurring fitness setbacks.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has suffered a torrid few years with injuries, most notably serious knee ligament damage that ultimately led to the termination of his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Further problems have followed since his return to boyhood club Santos, leaving the 33-year-old questioning whether continuing his career was worth the strain.

Despite those doubts, Neymar played through pain in 2025 in a bid to help Santos steer clear of relegation danger.

Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, with 79 international goals, remains determined to keep alive his dream of representing his country at the 2026 World Cup.

Although he has since undergone further surgery on his problematic knee, Neymar is currently working through a rehabilitation programme, and plans to hang up his boots have been shelved, at least for now.

'I Don't Know If It's Worth It Anymore'

Speaking to the Rafa Tecla T YouTube channel, Neymar's father opened up on the emotional impact of his son's injury battles.

We were monitoring Neymar all the time, constantly trying to take him out.

But he's a guy who never holds back on the field. You can't make him hold back. Next thing you know, he's tracking back, asking for the ball all the time.

He's extremely competitive. How do you control that? By keeping him off the field - that's the only way.

Neymar Sr admitted the psychological effect has often been as damaging as the physical pain.

He had a meniscus injury. The press leaked it before we even talked to him, and his head just went to zero.

For a moment, I couldn't save my son's mental state. It hits him hard - people saying Neymar won't play again this year. His mind just collapses.

The situation became so overwhelming that Neymar even raised the prospect of calling time on his career.

He looks at me and says, "I can't take it anymore, man. I don't even know if it's worth operating. For me, that's it."

World Cup 2026 Keeps Neymar Going

Ultimately, it was the prospect of one final shot at World Cup glory that helped pull Neymar back from the brink.

There's a narrative out there. A few very noisy people - not many, but extremely loud - want to make you give up. If we give up... there's very little left, man. Six months. After June, July, I don't know if we'll win or not. But I'll go with you.

That conversation proved decisive as Neymar returned to training the very next day.

He messages me, "I'm going to train. I'll see if I can handle it."

He goes there, does everything. Then he started shooting with his left foot, with his right. I said, "Just try running." He looked at me, nodded his head, "I think it works."

Santos Extension and Miami Reunion Talk

Speculation has recently linked Neymar with a move to Inter Miami, potentially reuniting him with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez as part of a revived "MSN" attack.

However, Neymar eventually extended his contract with Santos, committing to the club through another season and into the 2026 World Cup cycle.

For now, retirement has been postponed and Neymar's final chapter, driven by resilience and one last World Cup ambition, is still being written.

Also Read: