The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his youth team 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 rediscover his best and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed 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 two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth 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 enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - 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 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 top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently issues exist," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
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 helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to come back from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.