The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness 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 failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the primary concern 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 clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing 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," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues 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 far cry from the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist 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 number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement 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 moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
