Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his peak dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly there's a problem," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great observes similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
