Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, restore a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he finds it hard 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 multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime rivaled Lionel Messi 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 fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker 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 isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
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 left out for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be selected 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 increased agitation than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to recover from an setback and regain rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
