Neymar was close to retiring when he suffered his latest injury, as revealed by his father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos Sr.

The 33-year-old was struggling with a meniscus injury heading into the final stages of the season with Santos, who were in a relegation battle in the Brazilian top-flight.

However, Neymar decided to play through the pain to try and help Santos retain their Serie A status, and he did exactly that.

Santos won each of their last three matches, with Neymar scoring a hat-trick against Juventude and registering a goal and an assist against Sport Recife to keep them in the division.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain has since undergone surgery as he aims to continue his form to secure a spot in Carlo Ancelotti's 2026 World Cup squad.

He is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances and has played in three World Cups.

Neymar's father explained in a YouTube interview with Rafa Tecla T - Experiencias reais how the forward's perspective quickly changed after a sombre initial response to his injury.

He said: "He got a meniscus injury, the press leaks it before we talk to him, and his head goes blank. It's so much to take in. I go to my son's house. 'So, how are you?'

"He turns to me and says, 'I can't take it anymore. Let's operate, Dad. I don't even know if it's worth operating. As for me, I've had enough'.

"I said, 'Son, if you want to have surgery so we can focus on your recovery, and you get well, I'm with you'.

"The next morning, he started training, kicking left, right. Then he looked, shook his head, 'I think I can do it'. He went to the game and scored the goal.

"When he scored, he looked at me and said that he was going to the end."