Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, earning 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 receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to 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]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, shouldering massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for 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 prime competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half 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 regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be selected 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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
