The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad 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 legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad 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 said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently issues exist," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, 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 usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared 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.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
