Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger received the prestigious football award in late September, 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 second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
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 lost after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play 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 only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns 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 zenith rivaled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
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 ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to come back from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
