The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing 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 exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging 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 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half 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 Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
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 excluded for performance issues, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public 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 increased agitation than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority 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 restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
