Brazil icon Neymar could retire from football entirely within days following the Selecao's shock World Cup elimination to Norway, according to reports in his homeland. The 34-year-old forward, who had already announced his retirement from international duty after the defeat, is now weighing up whether to hang up his boots for good, potentially even cutting short his contract with boyhood club Santos.
World Cup Heartbreak and International Retirement
Brazil entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favorites but were dumped out in the last 16 by an Erling Haaland-inspired Norway side. In the aftermath of the match at MetLife Stadium, which also hosted Neymar's debut for Brazil, the forward confirmed his international retirement. "I tried," Neymar said. "It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over."
Neymar had been a controversial selection for manager Carlo Ancelotti's 26-man squad due to his recent injury history, but he played in the tournament. Now, sources suggest he is considering full retirement from football and might not even see out the remainder of his contract with Santos, where he made an emotional return last year.
Father's Emotional Plea
Neymar's father, Neymar Sr., has publicly urged his son to reverse his decision and continue playing. In a heartfelt social media post, he wrote: "Oh, son... What a journey. What a beautiful path. Challenging. Often painful, but infinitely blessed. A decision made today does not define your entire story. A dream that hasn't come true yet doesn't mean it's dead. The end of the story is never determined by a difficult moment..."
He added: "I watched the boy grow into one of the greatest players of his generation in history. When I look back, I see much more than trophies, goals, contracts, or recognition. I see miracles. I see deliverance. I see promises being fulfilled. And when I look ahead, I remain just as certain. The best doesn't depend on age or circumstances. I want to ask you something as a father. Son, keep playing football."
Career Statistics and Club History
Neymar has earned 130 caps for Brazil and scored 80 goals, making him the country's all-time leading scorer. He has played for Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal before returning to Santos last year. Since his return, he has scored 17 goals in 43 appearances. The forward is now taking time to reflect on Brazil's World Cup campaign before making a final decision on his future.
