Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", 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 Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith rivaled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
