Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations 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 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 available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro 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 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 once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local debate 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 definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly something isn't right," 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 selected for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat 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 responded to this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry 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 recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to come back from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
