The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, 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 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost 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 if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, 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 exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is challenging because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, 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, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
