Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be 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 the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, 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 just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith rivaled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained 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 doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming 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 nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, 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, obviously something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
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 confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to return from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
