The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are ready. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he struggles 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 return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, 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 goal must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative 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, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"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 injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
