Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds 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 long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, rekindle a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just 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 able to play, he was a different to the player who during his prime competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by allegedly attempting 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 no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently something isn't right," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees similarities.
"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 ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
