Neymar Mulled Retiring Due To Injury, Father Says

Neymar considered retiring from football following his recent injury struggles, according to his father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos Sr.

The Brazilian forward has dealt with a meniscus injury but continued to play for Santos during the critical phases of last season before undergoing minor surgery on his left knee on December 22.

During a YouTube interview, Neymar Sr. recounted a conversation with his son prior to surgery. “He said, ‘I can’t take it anymore. Let’s operate. Dad, I don’t even know if it’s worth it. I’ve had enough,'” he shared.

Neymar Sr. advised his son to focus on two things: responding to critics by returning to the pitch and fulfilling his World Cup ambitions. After a significant knee injury in October 2023 while on international duty, Neymar has faced ongoing fitness challenges.

“I told him that if he wanted to have surgery, I would support him completely. The next day he began training again,” Neymar Sr. recalled. “When he scored, he looked at me and said he was committed to seeing it through.”

Despite only featuring in half of Brazil’s Serie A matches since his return to Santos in January 2025, Neymar’s eight league goals, including four crucial strikes in the final rounds, were pivotal in helping the team avoid relegation.

Neymar is expected to recover ahead of the 2026 Brazilian Serie A season, where he remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, having participated in three World Cups.