The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, rekindle a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if 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 time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches 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 unquestioned talisman, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play three games 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 nearly half 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 Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, 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 prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to come back from an setback and regain rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
