The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
Such is 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 against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below 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 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 aim must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "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 intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great observes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to come back from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
