The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation 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.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be 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 revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he has difficulty 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 homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith competed with 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 first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to 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, obviously issues exist," Cafu observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.