Neymar Once Considered Retirement Amid Injury Struggles
Few players have carried so much talent — and so much burden. At his lowest point, Neymar even questioned whether continuing was worth it.
A talent that never lacked brilliance
Few players in modern football have matched the natural ability of Neymar. Blessed with extraordinary skill, he seemed destined to dominate an era. Yet discipline issues and constant setbacks earned him a reputation as “the prince who never wanted to be king.”
As the years passed and injuries grew more severe, the physical and mental toll began to weigh heavily on the Brazilian forward.
A career that rose fast — and burned intensely
Neymar’s rise was meteoric. His performances with Santos caught the eye of Barcelona, who signed him in 2013 for a fee exceeding €70 million. Over four seasons in Spain, he lifted multiple trophies and became part of one of football’s most feared attacking trios.
He later moved to Paris Saint-Germain, before stints with Al-Hilal and an emotional return to Santos, the club where it all began.
Retirement crossed his mind
According to a report from Deadline Day, a South American outlet, Neymar’s father revealed that his son considered retirement on several occasions. Those thoughts intensified as injuries continued to interrupt his career.
During his most recent spell at Santos, Neymar even postponed surgery to help the club avoid relegation in the Brasileirão, a mission that ultimately succeeded thanks in part to his impact.
“I can’t take it anymore. I need surgery, but I don’t even know if it’s worth it, dad. I’m exhausted,”
Neymar reportedly told his father just months ago.
A body pushed to the limit
Neymar’s injury record is extensive, having missed significant stretches of his career due to multiple physical setbacks. Among the most serious was an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, which sidelined him for more than 300 days during the 2023–24 season.
Each comeback demanded patience, resilience, and a growing fight against time.
One last World Cup goal
After delaying his operation, it was confirmed on December 23, 2025, that Neymar finally underwent the required surgery to address his joint issues. Santos announced that the arthroscopic procedure was performed by a specialist, with recovery timelines carefully planned.
The objective is clear: give Neymar a chance to be considered for the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
