Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents 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, revive a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time 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 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns 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 another lower-division opponent, 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 game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting 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 no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, obviously there's a problem," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute 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 helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great sees similarities.
"He's a essential 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 overstatement from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to return from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
