Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches 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 unquestioned talisman, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith competed with Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective 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 L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, 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 excluded for performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided 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 usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
