Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing 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 single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
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 peak competed with Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by allegedly attempting 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 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 invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, obviously there's a problem," 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 selected for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to come back from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
