Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
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 ready. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team 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 friendly matches in March 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, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research 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 all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a minority 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 recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
