Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form 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.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"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 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 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 enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games 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 campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - 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 decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying 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 fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently something isn't right," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to come back from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
