Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort 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.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in 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]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak competed with Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half 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 top division, the number 10 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 goal must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
