The Santos star says he would like the freedom to play football whenever he feels like it and do absolutely nothing on days when he prefers to rest. For a player who has spent years balancing training sessions, matches and physiotherapy, the prospect of an unstructured life appears particularly appealing.
Neymar has already brought his international career to an end, but he has yet to announce when he will retire from club football. Although the timing remains uncertain, he has begun considering what life might look like once he finally steps away from the professional game.
Speaking on the Brazilian programme Varanda Gourmet, Neymar discussed his retirement plans, his attitude towards watching football and the importance of spending time with his children. His comments offered a glimpse into how he hopes to approach life beyond the pitch.
Asked what he intended to do after retiring, Neymar made it clear that he would not want to replace football with another demanding routine. Instead, he hopes to spend his first year away from the professional game without fixed commitments.
“When I stop playing, I’ll do nothing for a year,” he said with a laugh. “One day I might feel like playing football, so I’ll go and play. Another day I might not feel like doing anything, so I won’t do anything.”
His remarks suggest that the freedom to make decisions according to his mood, rather than a professional schedule, will be central to his plans. Rather than immediately pursuing another occupation or taking on new responsibilities, he wants time to himself.
Playing football is more appealing than watching it
Despite having built his career around the sport, Neymar admitted that he is not particularly enthusiastic about watching matches on television for extended periods.
Recalling his time in Barcelona and Paris, he said his friends and team-mates would often spend hours watching football on their days off. Neymar, however, found it difficult to share their enthusiasm for sitting in front of a screen for so long.
For him, the enjoyment comes primarily from playing the game. Watching matches can become tedious, and seeing close friends perform poorly can even affect his mood.
The admission offers an interesting perspective on one of football’s most recognisable figures. Although the sport has been central to his professional and personal life, Neymar appears to enjoy participating far more than observing from the sidelines.
His attitude also helps explain why retirement does not necessarily mean abandoning football altogether. He may still choose to play recreationally, but without the pressure of competition, training schedules or the expectations associated with professional status.
Making time for his children
Away from football, Neymar also places considerable importance on spending time with his children. His professional commitments have often required him to organise his daily life around training, matches and physiotherapy, but he says he still tries to make room for family activities.
One of his favourite ways to spend time with his daughter is watching animated films. She particularly enjoys Shrek and The Grinch, and Neymar joins her in watching the films she loves.
“My life is very busy. There is physiotherapy and training,” he said. “Even so, I always try to set aside time for my children and do the things they enjoy.”
His comments reveal a more personal side of a footballer whose career has involved intense public attention and demanding professional commitments. Despite those pressures, he wants to remain involved in the everyday activities that matter to his family.
Retirement could give him greater flexibility to enjoy such moments without having to fit them around the demands of elite football. However, Neymar has not outlined any detailed plans for how he intends to organise his family life once his playing career ends.
Santos future remains uncertain
While Neymar has offered a clear picture of how he would like to spend his first year after retirement, he has not decided when that period will begin.
In February this year, he indicated that he preferred to approach his career one year at a time rather than make firm long-term commitments. That approach leaves open the possibility of continuing to play, depending on his circumstances and desire to remain involved in the professional game.
His current contract with Santos runs until December 2026. Whether he extends his playing career beyond that point or decides to retire remains unclear.
Neymar has enjoyed a career at some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while also representing Brazil at international level. His career has brought major achievements, but injuries and physical setbacks have also presented challenges in recent years.
Those demands form part of the backdrop to his retirement plans. Professional football requires a level of discipline that extends well beyond matchdays, with players expected to maintain their fitness, attend training sessions and follow recovery programmes throughout the season.
For Neymar, stepping away from that structure would offer an opportunity to regain control over his time. Rather than immediately moving into coaching, management or another football-related role, he appears content to leave such decisions for later.
His retirement date remains unknown, and his immediate focus is still on his playing career. But when the time eventually comes to hang up his boots, Neymar has made one thing clear: he wants his first year away from professional football to be about freedom, family and enjoying life at his own pace.
