Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home 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 diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - 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 zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time 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 March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence 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 sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to come back from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
