Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, 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 rediscover his best and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering 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 problematic because he finds it hard 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 various physical concerns 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 distant from the player who during his peak rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below 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 fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu said.
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 helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to recover from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
