Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy 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 tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, suggesting 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 physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, 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 more on edge than normal, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide 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 appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
