Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team 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 on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions 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 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 maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
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 left out for performance issues, evidently issues exist," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to return from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
