Marc Marquez Admits 'Retiring Sooner Due to My Body'?

MotoGP, Sportrik Media – Seven-time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez, has openly discussed the eventual end of his premier class career. The 32-year-old Spanish rider acknowledges that his body will force him to retire earlier than his mental drive would prefer.

The 2025 season marked one of the most remarkable comebacks in MotoGP history for Marc Marquez. Following a career-threatening arm injury in 2020, he clinched his seventh premier class title with the Ducati Lenovo Team. This ninth overall championship was secured at the Japanese Grand Prix, although he missed the final four rounds due to a shoulder injury.

Nevertheless, that shoulder issue serves as a reminder of the high risks in this sport. In an interview with La Sexta, Marquez revealed his awareness of physical limitations.

“The hardest thing for an athlete is knowing when and how to retire, and how long to keep going,” he said.

“I already know I'm going to retire sooner because my body will push me harder than my mind.

“We're in a sport where injuries, because of everything I've risked, have been very kind to me until this final stage.

“I'll have to understand how my body is doing each year, because mentally I'm like a rocket.”

This statement reflects Marquez's maturity after multiple surgeries and lengthy recoveries. Despite this, he enters the 2026 season as the overwhelming favorite to defend his title, with his current Ducati contract expiring at year's end ahead of the 2027 rules reset.

Furthermore, Marquez has expressed hopes of becoming a father soon. However, he firmly stated he would not want his child to pursue racing due to the burden of his legacy.

“I wouldn’t like it,” he added.

“I think about them, and I can’t help but say, ‘poor boy or girl’. My legacy would be a great burden.

“I don’t know how protective I would be, because I like to be protective a lot.

“Bearing my last name wouldn’t help them at all. It’s clear they would have some advantages, financially, for example.

“They wouldn’t lack anything, but if you don’t lack anything, you don’t have the same hunger.”

In-depth analysis highlights how this admission adds a human dimension to Marquez, long known for his aggressive and fearless style on track. With dominance in 2025, including 11 victories and 15 podiums, he demonstrated exceptional adaptation to the Ducati machine.

Marquez's future prospects remain bright, particularly with a strong lineup in the factory Ducati squad alongside Francesco Bagnaia. Yet, physical factors will ultimately determine the length of his MotoGP tenure.

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