Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent 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 demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his prime rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist 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 decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained 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 autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy 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 excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to 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 deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research 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 all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked 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 countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended 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 injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to come back from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
