Neymar (34) directly mentioned the possibility of ending his playing career after 2026, effectively signaling a final World Cup.
The British Daily Mail reported on the 21st (Korea time) that Neymar gave an honest view in an interview about his future whereabouts and the possibility of retirement. According to the report, Neymar acknowledged that 2026 could be the final year of his career and suggested that the World Cup could serve as an emotional final stage.
After making his name as a prodigious forward in Brazil and going on to play for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Neymar marked his 34th birthday earlier this month and has entered the latter stages of his career. In recent years, recurring ankle, knee and hamstring injuries have reduced his playing time, which appears to have influenced his future plans.
Neymar returned to his former club Santos in 2024, and his current contract runs through 2026. In an interview with Brazilian media, he said, "I don't know what will happen in the future. When December comes I might decide to retire. I live by assessing the situation year by year," adding, "This year is important for Santos, the Brazil national team and for me personally."
He is aiming to make the Brazil national team's World Cup squad under coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, the national team manager has not made a clear statement about the likelihood of selecting him.
He also explained his cautious approach to recent match appearances. Neymar said, "To return at 100 percent I paced myself in some matches," and added, "People only talk about what they see on the outside, but I had to battle my physical condition every day." He went on to say, "I wanted to come back without pain and without fear. I'm regaining my rhythm bit by bit, and I will eventually reach 100 percent."
Meanwhile, the reasons why former Brazil teammate Philippe Coutinho left Vasco da Gama were also highlighted. Coutinho said on social media that he was "mentally very tired," expressed his affection for the club and its fans, and indicated he would step back for a while. He described his relationship with the club as a love and said, "Now is the time to take a step back."
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