Neymar unexpectedly discusses retirement, sets a key milestone for his future decision

Neymar sparked concern among supporters by openly addressing the prospect of hanging up his boots for the first time, and he pinpointed when he will decide on the remainder of his professional journey.

Neymar's future continues to be a major question mark following the latest revelations from the Brazilian star himself. In a conversation on his personal YouTube channel, held on the sidelines of the annual charity auction of the Neymar Institute, the 34-year-old forward admitted he does not know how much longer he will keep playing.

“I don't know how long I'll keep playing. Right now, I haven't thought about stopping, and I don't know when that moment will come.”, Neymar shared.

Neymar currently has a contract with Santos until December 2026. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player stated that for now he will fully honor his commitment to the club of his youth, and only afterward will he consider his next move.

“I have a contract with Santos until December. I want to fulfill the contract, to respect the Santos jersey in the best way. When the contract ends, I will think carefully about what I want—whether to stay at Santos, move elsewhere, stop playing, or continue my career.”

Neymar's remarks quickly drew attention as he once again openly left the door open to the possibility of stopping playing and placed the prospect of retirement on the table. Although he has not made a final decision, the fact that the Brazilian star mentioned the option of stopping suggests that the end of 2026 could become a significant turning point.

Neymar has just concluded his journey with the Brazilian national team after the most recent World Cup. The decision to leave the national team means all his focus is now on Santos, a club that is still going through an unstable period and needs to improve its standing in the league table.

“I really don't know what I'll do. There's still time from now until December. We'll take it step by step, game by game. I feel my body is okay, and that's what matters. For now, we have an important match ahead.”, he emphasized.

After returning to Santos from the World Cup, Neymar has experienced a series of matches with varying shades. In the game against Chapecoense, the 34-year-old striker scored a brace and showed that his ability to make a difference remains intact.

However, that performance was somewhat overshadowed by reports of alocker-room dispute. According to Brazilian media, Neymar is said to have had harsh words with two teammates during the break.

In the following matches, Neymar continued to play a significant role. He made an impact in 45 minutes against Universidad Central in the Copa Sudamericana, before delivering a quieter performance in the match against Remo in the national cup.

Neymar's physical condition is showing positive signs, but his long-term future remains an unanswered question. From now until December, each game in a Santos shirt may not only affect the team's results but also help determine whether fans will continue to see Neymar play beyond 2026.