Neymar’s father reveals news of his retirement decision

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, the Brazilian football superstar, once considered retiring from the sport, his father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos Senior, has revealed. According to Neymar Sr., the thoughts of quitting were triggered by the physical and mental strain of recurring injuries and lengthy rehabilitation processes.

Currently sidelined with a meniscus injury, Neymar has faced a challenging period in his career. Despite returning to play for Santos during critical moments last season, he was never fully fit. On 22 December, he underwent surgery on his left knee to address the injury.

In a recent YouTube interview, Neymar Senior reflected on his son’s mental state prior to the operation. He disclosed that when news of the meniscus injury spread in the media, Neymar was deeply affected. Upon visiting him at home, Neymar admitted that he no longer felt capable of coping with the situation and expressed doubt over whether surgery would restore his previous form.

“It was clear to me that he was experiencing profound despair,” Neymar Senior said. He encouraged his son to focus on two key goals: first, to overcome the injury and respond to critics on the pitch, and second, to preserve his dream of playing in the World Cup. Neymar had suffered severe ACL and meniscus injuries during an international match for Brazil in October 2023, which marked the beginning of ongoing fitness struggles.

Providing emotional support, Neymar Senior assured his son that he would be by his side throughout the recovery process. This reassurance proved pivotal in restoring Neymar’s mental resilience. Within a day, Neymar demonstrated renewed determination—returning to training, shooting confidently with both feet, and signalling a recovery in self-belief. After scoring in training, he told his father that he was committed to continuing the fight.

Returning to Santos in January 2025, Neymar played half of the Brazilian Série A season. He scored eight goals, with four coming in the latter part of the season, crucially helping the club avoid relegation.

Experts now expect Neymar to be fully fit ahead of the 2026 season. As Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, he has netted 79 goals in 128 appearances and participated in three World Cups.

Neymar’s Recent Career Snapshot

With the support of his father and a rigorous rehabilitation regime, Neymar appears determined to return stronger than ever, keeping alive his ambition of making an impact for club and country.