The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim 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 football.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao 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 spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement 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 remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - 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 prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 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 prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; 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 win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently issues exist," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians 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 helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat 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, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"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 overstatement 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 come back from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
