Neymar recently opened up about the emotional and physical challenges he faced following a severe ACL injury while playing for Brazil during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The injury, which occurred in October during a 2-0 loss to Uruguay, has kept the star forward sidelined for most of the season. Since the incident, Neymar has only played 29 minutes on the field, with his brief return to action in a match against Iran's Esteghlal further compounded by a hamstring tear. This additional setback has kept him out of action until mid-December, deepening his frustration and raising questions about his future.
In an honest and emotional moment during the Netflix documentary Saudi Pro League: Kickoff, Neymar revealed that he seriously considered retiring after the injury. He described the ACL tear as the most serious injury of his career, one that left him physically and mentally shaken. "Some days when I wake up, I want to give up," Neymar confessed in the documentary, shedding light on the darker side of his recovery process. The first month following the injury was particularly difficult, as he battled both physical pain and a sense of sadness. The severity of the injury made it clear that his path to full recovery would be long and challenging, and Neymar struggled with the uncertainty of whether he would ever return to his previous level of performance.
The early stages of recovery were marked by overwhelming pain and frustration. "At the start, you only feel pain," Neymar explained, describing how his immediate focus was on managing the discomfort and trying to regain basic knee movement. Every day felt like a battle as he longed for relief and the ability to move freely once more. The emotional toll of the injury was also significant, and Neymar admitted that the process of bouncing back was not just about physical healing but also overcoming the mental hurdles that came with it.
Adding to the difficulty of his recovery was the fact that Neymar was no longer in his twenties. At 31, the healing process became slower and more complicated, a reality that weighed heavily on him. "I'm not 20 anymore; I was 31 when it happened," Neymar noted, acknowledging the added challenges of aging and how it impacted his body’s ability to recover quickly.
Despite these struggles, Neymar was quick to highlight the importance of having a strong support system during such a challenging period. "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 said, emphasizing that the emotional and psychological support from family and friends played a crucial role in his recovery. Neymar credited his loved ones with helping him through the toughest days, providing him with the strength to push forward.
Overall, Neymar’s openness in the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the emotional toll that professional athletes experience during major injuries. His journey has been one of both physical rehabilitation and mental fortitude, and while his future on the field remains uncertain, Neymar’s determination to overcome this setback speaks volumes about his resilience and passion for the game.
