The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded 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, 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 regain his form and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused 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 disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat 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, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to 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, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
