Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, 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 alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than 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 playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to recover from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.