Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting 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 return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern 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 ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 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 peak competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
