The Santos star says he would play football whenever the mood took him and spend the rest of his time resting if he felt like doing nothing. After years of training sessions, matches and physiotherapy appointments, the prospect of having complete control over his daily routine appears to be an appealing one.
Neymar has already stepped away from international football, but he has yet to announce when he intends to end his club career. Although the timing of his retirement remains uncertain, he has begun thinking about how he would like to spend his life once professional football is no longer part of his daily routine.
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 the personal priorities that may shape his life beyond the pitch.
Asked what he intended to do after retiring, Neymar said he wanted his first year away from the professional game to be free of obligations.
“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 he has little desire to replace the demands of professional football with another structured routine. Rather than immediately pursuing a new career or taking on fresh responsibilities, he wants the freedom to decide how each day unfolds.
Playing football is better than watching it
Despite having spent much of his life immersed in the sport, Neymar admitted that he is not particularly keen on watching football on television for long periods.
Reflecting on his time in Barcelona and Paris, he recalled how his friends and team-mates would spend hours watching matches on their days off. Neymar, however, struggled to share their enthusiasm for sitting in front of a screen for extended periods.
For him, the greatest enjoyment comes from playing the game itself. Watching matches can become tedious, he explained, 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. Neymar has enjoyed a career at some of Europe’s leading clubs, yet his own comments suggest that participating in football brings him far greater pleasure than watching it as a spectator.
His attitude also helps explain why retirement would not necessarily mean abandoning the game altogether. He could still choose to play recreationally, but without the pressure of competition, training schedules or the expectations associated with professional status.
Family time remains a priority
Away from the pitch, Neymar places considerable importance on spending time with his children. His professional commitments have often required him to organise his days around training, matches and physiotherapy, but he says he makes an effort to participate in activities that his children enjoy.
One of his favourite ways to spend time with his daughter is watching animated films. She particularly likes Shrek and The Grinch, and Neymar joins her in watching them.
“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 scrutiny 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. His immediate future therefore remains open, with the possibility of continuing to play dependent on his circumstances and desire to remain in the professional game.
His current contract with Santos runs until December 2026. Whether he continues beyond that point or decides to bring his career to a close remains uncertain.
Neymar has represented Brazil at international level and played for major European clubs, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. His career has brought considerable success and global recognition, although injuries and physical setbacks have also presented challenges in recent years.
Professional football demands discipline well beyond matchdays. Players must maintain their fitness, attend training sessions and follow recovery programmes throughout the season. For Neymar, retirement would offer an opportunity to step away from those obligations and regain control over his time.
He has not indicated that he wants to move immediately into coaching, management or another football-related role. Instead, he appears content to leave such decisions until later.
For now, his focus remains on his playing career, and there is no confirmed retirement date. But when the time eventually comes to hang up his boots, Neymar has made his intentions clear: he wants his first year away from professional football to be defined by freedom, family and the simple pleasure of living at his own pace.
