Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while participating in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was limited solace 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.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back 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 fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic 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 repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to come back from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
