The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch 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 January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents 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, rekindle a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection 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 received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
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 prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out 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 placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
