Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
This reflects 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 fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing 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 only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready 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, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, 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 performance issues, obviously there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls 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 conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? 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 remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes parallels.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to recover from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
