The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet 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 missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below 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 top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to come back from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
