Neymar Opens Up About Retirement Thoughts Following Serious ACL Injury

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Neymar recently shared that he contemplated retiring after an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Brazil last year. The Al-Hilal player has only managed 29 minutes on the field since October, when he injured his knee during a 2-0 loss to Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He returned briefly in a match against Iran's Esteghlal but suffered a hamstring tear, sidelining him until mid-December.

In a Netflix documentary titled "Saudi Pro League: Kickoff," Neymar described this ACL injury as the most severe of his career. "Some days when I wake up, I want to give up," he confessed in the documentary, which chronicles his recovery journey. He expressed deep sadness and mental struggle during the first month post-injury, acknowledging the seriousness and long-term nature of his condition.

The initial phase of recovery was particularly challenging for Neymar. "At the start, you only feel pain," he explained. His primary focus was on alleviating the discomfort and regaining knee movement swiftly. The pain was overwhelming, and he longed for it to cease so he could move freely again.

Neymar also highlighted how age complicated his recovery process. "I'm not 20 any more, I was 31 when it happened," he noted. The support from family and friends proved crucial during this time. "If you don't have the people you love by your side...it can be difficult to come back from an injury like this," he stated, emphasizing the mental and physical toll such injuries can take.

Despite these challenges, Neymar expressed gratitude for having loved ones around him during his recovery journey. Their presence helped him navigate through the tough times and maintain hope for returning to football.