Brazillian forward Neymar is considering retirement as injuries and age continue to trouble the 34-year-old star. With the FIFA World Cup coming up this summer, Neymar is unsure of his place in Brazil’s squad and the retirement claim has further added to the disappointment of his fans.

In a recent interview, he said that he would want to retire by the end of this year with injuries consistently following him wherever he goes.

The star striker had moved to his boyhood club Santos last season and extended his contract at the club for this year as well. However, due to injuries he has regularly been out of the side due to injury in his first season.

Neymar contemplating retirement

Neymar returned to action last week after a knee surgery due to which he missed the start of Brazillian season. He said that he is taking life as it comes and not thing too far ahead in the future.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” Neymar said to Brazilian online channel Caze. “It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”

He stressed that 2026 was important for him with World Cup coming up.

“This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too,” he added.

Neymar last played for Brazil in October 2023 and recently also said that it will be a challenge for him to get back into the side. He remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances but injury concerns maybe a roadblock in his path to the showpiece tournament.

Brazil have been drawn in Group C at the 2026 World Cup alongside Haiti, Scotland and last edition’s semifinalists Morocco.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday is more than a personal milestone. It is a moment for the sporting world to look back on a career that has combined relentless excellence, historic numbers and deeply human ambition. Few athletes across any sport have commanded the level of global admiration that Ronaldo continues to enjoy. Now 41, the Portuguese great shows little sign of slowing down. Driven by discipline, fitness and an unrelenting competitive edge, Ronaldo remains focused on making 2026 count, with the long-held dream of winning the FIFA World Cup still firmly alive. A goalscorer for every generation Ronaldo’s legacy is anchored in a goalscoring record that has transcended eras, leagues and tactical trends. From his emergence at Sporting CP to iconic spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, followed by his current chapter at Al Nassr, he has delivered with remarkable consistency at the highest level.

Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester United (Getty Images)

For Portugal, he has been a defining figure for more than two decades, blending power, aerial dominance and clinical finishing with extraordinary longevity. Ronaldo has scored 961 career goals for club and country. He stands alone as the only footballer to score over 100 competitive goals for four different clubs: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and Al Nassr. Club goals breakdown Real Madrid: 450 goals in 438 matches Manchester United: 145 goals in 346 matches Al Nassr: 117 goals in 133 matches Juventus: 101 goals in 134 matches Sporting CP: 5 goals in 31 matches

Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

International record Portugal: 143 goals in 226 appearances A trophy-laden journey Across more than 20 years at the top, Ronaldo has amassed one of the most decorated trophy collections in football history. With Sporting CP, he won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in 2002. At Manchester United, his honours included three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Community Shield, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His Real Madrid years delivered two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, two Supercopa de España titles, four Champions League crowns, two UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. At Juventus, he lifted two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

With Al Nassr, he claimed the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. On the international stage, Ronaldo led Portugal to glory at the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2018–19 and 2024–25. Individually, he has won five Ballon d’Or awards, four European Golden Boots and three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year honours, underlining his sustained dominance. Records that define an era Ronaldo remains the Champions League’s all-time leading goalscorer with 140 goals and its top assist provider with 42. He is also the highest scorer in the history of Real Madrid and the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

With 961 career goals already to his name, his pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone continues to fuel his motivation, a target once thought unattainable. A global icon beyond football Away from the pitch, Ronaldo has built a vast commercial empire. Through endorsements, investments and his CR7 brand across fashion, fragrances and hospitality, he has become one of sport’s most powerful global brands. As of October 2025, his net worth was estimated at $1.4 billion, or approximately Rs 12,000 crore, making him the first active team-sport athlete to reach billionaire status, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As Ronaldo marks another birthday, his story remains unfinished, driven by ambition, legacy and an enduring hunger for greatness.