The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying massive pressure 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 moment is challenging because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his prime competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
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 performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided 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 more on edge than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"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 misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
