The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort 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 coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received 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 continues to be an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself 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, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, 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 playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently issues exist," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? 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 intention was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
