Marc Marquez reflects on career and retirement after remarkable injury comeback

The nine-time champion is set to win his 10th title next time out in Portugal, but just six months ago it looked like he might be about to call it a day.

Marquez retired from the French Grand Prix in pain over a shoulder injury, and his teary pit-box exit prompted many to fear he wouldn’t come back.

However, the surgery was a success, and the 33-year-old has since overcome yet another horror operation to close in on the title.

Now, opening up on his 2026 struggles, the Catalan spent the day with fellow Spanish motorcycling legend Toni Bou to discuss their iconic careers.

In the TV3 documentary, Marquez tells the record breaking time-trial champion: "It became complicated with the nerve. It was an old injury, with two screws, and it was affecting the nerve.”

Bou, who has just turned 40, responded: "Lately we talk more about doctors than about motorcycles; we're getting old. How unfair, to win and then have this happen.”

Marquez pragmatically said: "When do injuries strike? When you least expect them."

Following Marquez’s emotional exit in Le Mans, he missed his following home race in Catalunya, giving championship leader Marco Bezzecchi a massive 102-point advantage.

He returned in Mugello next time out, and then won the following two races to start a comeback for the ages.

Marquez’s career has been full of serious injuries and miraculous comebacks, but he told his friend Bou how this one was different.

He explained: “Since the injury, I've lowered the intensity mentally.

However, when Bou said he’s still motivated by winning every race, Marquez responded: "Yes, and that's what keeps us up at night."

Marquez is currently signed with Ducati for the next two seasons, but doubts remain over whether he’ll fulfil that length of deal, with a break clause after 2027 and the generational talent of Pedro Acosta as his next teammate.

Giving a philosophical take on his future, Marquez joked about grey hair and finally told his friend: "It's so sad that we don't know how to do anything else in life.”