Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger received the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations 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, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad 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 stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just 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 the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," 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 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The next 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 career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to recover from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
