The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent 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 only two friendly matches in March 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 massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games 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 return to Brazil - 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 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - 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 once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, 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 increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an setback and regain 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 abandoned the throne.
