The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker 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 meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if 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 deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 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 no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, 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 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 June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included 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 in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a vital 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.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to return from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
