Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this 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, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches 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 still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches 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, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his peak competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared 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 spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included 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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible 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 guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"He's a essential 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 minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
