Brazilian star Neymar has made it clear he has no intention of hanging up his boots anytime quickly, insisting he’ll proceed taking part in till he’s not in a position to meet his personal requirements.
The 33-year-old ahead lately renewed his cope with Santos, committing to stick with his boyhood membership till the tip of the 12 months, with an choice to increase by way of to the 2026 World Cup.
In an interview led by shut family and friends, Neymar’s spouse, Bruna Biancardi, requested him what motivates him to maintain taking part in professionally. The previous Barcelona and PSG star mentioned:
“What drives me is the love I nonetheless really feel for soccer.
“The need I really feel to play, to be on the sphere, that’s what drives me on daily basis; to get up, to coach. The love I really feel for soccer won’t ever finish. It can stick with me for the remainder of my life. Sooner or later, the will to play, as a result of I can not do it, as a result of I can not carry out as I need to, will finish.
“So long as I nonetheless have the will to play soccer, you’ll need to share me, my love.”
Neymar returned to Santos earlier this 12 months after terminating his contract with Al Hilal, the place he endured a tough stint marred by accidents.
A critical ACL tear sustained whereas on worldwide obligation with Brazil in October 2023 considerably restricted his time on the pitch.
🚨 Neymar le répète encore et encore : son PRIME était au PSG ! ❤️💙🔥
“𝗝’𝗮𝗶 𝗲𝘂 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘂 𝗣𝗦𝗚, 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟳 𝗲𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 : 𝗷’𝗲́𝘁𝗮𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲̂𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 !”pic.twitter.com/C0xKR8sQOL
— On the spot Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) June 29, 2025
Since his comeback, he has managed simply three objectives and three assists in 15 appearances for Santos in 2025, with repeated muscular setbacks stalling his efforts to reclaim a spot within the nationwide crew setup.
All through his profession, Neymar has been underneath the microscope, not only for his performances, however for his off-field life-style. Addressing this throughout the identical interview, he opened up concerning the toll that public judgment has taken on him.
“I can’t management different folks’s ideas,” he informed his spouse.
“It’s tough to reply individuals who perceive completely nothing about our lives…Judging is straightforward, however understanding what’s behind it’s tough.
“I’ve spent my total profession a bit unhappy due to this, due to individuals who don’t know me speaking about me and never nearly soccer.
“I do know I’m an excellent individual, it’s tough to confront. I would really like them to provide extra significance to what actually issues, on the pitch.
“These days, with the web and social media, it’s tough for folks to focus solely on the athlete himself.
“It’s unhealthy, unhappy, to be judged in a sure manner, generally even hated by individuals who don’t know me, who aren’t a part of my every day life, who don’t know the hassle I put in for myself and my household. It’s tough to cease and see on the web what isn’t actuality.
“I’ve a robust mindset in relation to the web.I can have a look at it, nevertheless it doesn’t damage me, it doesn’t damage me mentally.”
“My soccer profession will finish, my identify will stay in historical past, however it can finish, years will go, different gamers and generations will come and go. I all the time say that the individuals who know me are what matter.”