Brazil’s record goalscorer Neymar has suggested he could retire when his Santos contract expires in December.

The 34-year-old returned to his boyhood club in January 2025 after successful spells in Europe with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and an injury-ravaged stint with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

He has struggled for fitness over the past 18 months but did manage to make the Brazil squad for the World Cup, making two appearances and scoring once.

The injuries are likely to have taken a toll and Neymar admitted all options were on the table when it comes to his future plans.

He said: ”I don’t know how long [I will continue playing]. I have a contract with Santos until December. I intend to fulfill the contract, honour the Santos shirt in the best possible way and then I will think when my contract ends if I stay, if I leave, if I stop playing or if I continue.”

Neymar wants to end 2026 on a high

Neymar stressed the short-term goal was to end the season well with Santos, starting with tonight’s Brazil Cup tie against Remo – a match he will reportedly start on the bench.

He added: “I really don’t know what I’m going to do. Until December there is time, but let’s go little by little, game by game, I’m feeling good physically. That’s what matters.

“I am 100% at the coach’s disposal. As everything comes out at Santos before the players know, they have already published that I will be on the bench. 

“I hope to be ready to help and bring victory to the Big Fish.”

Is Neymar’s brilliant career coming to an end?

Neymar left Santos for Barca aged 21 in 2013 and went on to enjoy a fantastic career at Camp Nou, forming one third of the famous MSN trident that also included Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and winning two La Ligas and one Champions League crown.

He joined PSG in 2017 for a world record transfer fee of around £200million and helped the Parisians to five Ligue 1 crowns.

A ruptured ACL sustained on international duty with Brazil in 2023 disrupted his time in Saudi and the national team, although he remains the five-time World Cup winners’ record scorer with 80 in 130 appearances.