Having already retired from international football, Neymar has yet to announce when he will call time on his club career. Still, he has given considerable thought to what life beyond the game should look like. Speaking on the Brazilian programme Varanda Gourmet, the 34-year-old opened up about his retirement plans, his relationship with football away from the pitch, and the importance of spending time with his children.
Asked what he intends to do after hanging up his boots, Neymar made it clear that he wants his first year of retirement to be completely unstructured. He hopes to leave behind the demands of daily training sessions, physiotherapy appointments and rigid schedules that have shaped his career for years.
Laughing as he described his ideal routine, Neymar said, “When I stop playing, I’ll do nothing for a year. One day I might feel like playing football, so I’ll go and play. Another day I might not feel like doing anything, so I’ll simply do nothing.”
His comments suggest that retirement, for him, is less about leaving football behind entirely and more about rediscovering the freedom to choose how each day unfolds.
Playing the Game Matters More Than Watching It
One of Neymar’s more surprising admissions was that, despite dedicating his life to football, he is not particularly fond of watching matches on television.
Reflecting on his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, he recalled how teammates would happily spend hours watching football during their days off. He never shared that enthusiasm.
According to Neymar, he enjoys playing football far more than sitting in front of a television screen. In fact, watching matches can become frustrating, especially when close friends perform below their usual standards, something he admitted can affect his mood.
The revelation offers an unusual glimpse into the mindset of one of football’s most recognisable stars, whose greatest enjoyment still comes from being on the pitch rather than observing from the sidelines.
Family Remains a Priority
While professional football has demanded much of his time through training, recovery sessions and travel, Neymar insists that making time for his children remains one of his biggest priorities.
He explained that he tries to take part in the activities they enjoy whenever possible. One of his favourite routines is watching animated films with his daughter, who particularly loves Shrek and The Grinch. Those moments, he said, are important despite the pressures of his career.
“My life is very busy,” Neymar said. “There’s physiotherapy and training. Even so, I always try to set aside time for my children and do the things they enjoy.”
His remarks highlight a more personal side of the Brazilian star, suggesting that retirement could allow him to spend even more time with his family once the demands of elite football ease.
Retirement Date Still Undecided
Although Neymar has shared a clear vision for life after football, he has not confirmed when that chapter will begin. Earlier this year, in February, he said he preferred to approach his career one year at a time rather than make long-term commitments about retirement.
His current contract with Santos runs until December 2026, leaving his future beyond that point undecided. Whether he continues playing or chooses to bring his career to a close remains a decision for another day.
For now, Neymar’s message is straightforward. Whenever retirement finally arrives, he wants his first year away from professional football to be defined not by another career move, but by freedom, family and the simple pleasure of living life at his own pace.
