KEY POINTS
- The 34-year-old’s participation in World Cup 2026 is highly uncertain due to recent injury struggles.
- Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti will only select fully fit players, and Neymar has not played for the national side since 2023.
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian football star Neymar has sent shockwaves through the sporting world by suggesting he may hang up his boots before the end of the year, casting serious doubt over his participation in the upcoming World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward, who recently extended his contract with childhood club Santos, revealed in an emotional interview that retirement is a very real possibility when December arrives.
“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now,” Neymar told Brazilian online channel Caze.
Return to Santos
The veteran striker made an emotional return to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025, rejoining the team where his professional journey first began.
Since coming back, Neymar has proven his worth by playing a crucial role in keeping Santos in the Brazilian top flight, netting five goals in their final five matches to secure the club’s top-tier status.
Despite his heroics on the field, the forward has been candid about his physical struggles in recent seasons.
World Cup Uncertainty
With the World Cup scheduled to kick off on June 11 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Neymar’s availability for the Brazilian national team remains deeply uncertain.
“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 explained.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has not represented his country since October 2023, though he recently underwent successful knee surgery in hopes of returning to full fitness.
Ancelotti’s Firm Stance
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has maintained a consistent position throughout the past year, insisting that only players operating at peak physical condition will earn selection for football’s biggest tournament.
Neymar currently holds the record as Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 strikes for the national side, adding weight to any potential absence from the squad.
Family Moments
In happier news, the Santos star was recently pictured with his wife Bruna Biancardi and their daughters receiving an award from former Santos player Pepe before the club’s match against Cruzeiro in the Brasileiro Championship at Estadio Urbano Caldeira on December 7.
“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” Neymar admitted, leaving fans and pundits alike to ponder whether 2026 will mark the final chapter in one of Brazilian football’s most celebrated careers.
