At 34 years old, Neymar is going through a stage in his career where injuries have increasingly weighed on thoughts about his future. Since his return to Santos in 2025, the Brazilian forward has been trying to regain continuity and enjoy his last years as a professional, although a recent statement sparked speculation about when he might end his career.
During a live broadcast of the Kings League Brazil, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player participated in a conversation with content creator Cris Guedes and surprised everyone by revealing his plans for the coming years. "I wanted to play in the Kings League. I will play in 2030," he commented while sharing the moment with his interlocutor.
The response surprised Guedes, who reminded him that he still had five or six seasons ahead. However, Neymar used humor to explain why he is not so sure about extending his career for that long: "If you had my knee, you would understand."
While he did not confirm a specific date for his retirement, the reference to 2030 fueled rumors about the end of his professional football career. By then, the attacker will be 38 years old and could find in the Kings League an alternative to remain connected to the sport from another angle.
The ordeal of injuries
Physical problems, especially in his left knee, have represented one of the main obstacles for the Brazilian for several seasons. In December 2025, he had to undergo arthroscopy and, before the 2026 World Cup, received regenerative treatment with platelet-rich plasma to improve his condition and regain continuity.
During the last month, the Peixe captain has barely been able to play three matches, including one against Flamengo where he scored a double, and another against Bahia, where he suffered a red card against Bahia for talking to an opponent while covering his mouth, which resulted in a disciplinary sanction. Fortunately for the São Paulo team, in recent hours, the Brazilian Sports Justice Tribunal accepted the appeal presented by the institution and cleared Ney to return to play.
The original suspension included two matches for his red card against Tricolor de Aço, while the accumulation of five yellow cards also prevented him from playing another match. Thus, the forward missed the games against Palmeiras and Bragantino, but he is now available to the coaching staff.
