The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, 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 second place, collecting 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 claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once 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 yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime 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 top flight - 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 battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity 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 March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, 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, clearly issues exist," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public 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 improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to come back from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
