The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore 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 everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches 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 nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues 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 dared to challenge Lionel Messi 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 goal and assist against a lower-league side, 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 previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, 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, evidently there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
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 "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an setback and regain rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
