The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation 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 returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing 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 return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea 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 yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games 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 clear standout, carrying massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult 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 just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, 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 difference maker he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months 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 autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation 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?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared 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.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to recover from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
