The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody 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 multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to recover from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
