The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, 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 be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. 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 squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", 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 24 months.
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 clear standout, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his peak dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out 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 invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes parallels.
"He's a crucial 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 fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to come back from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
