Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are fit. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", 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 national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches 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 homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
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 included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to come back from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
