Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the primary concern 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 demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, 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 unquestioned talisman, shouldering massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns 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 three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
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 argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy 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 anger among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to return from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
