Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations 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 passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches 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 unquestioned talisman, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only 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 distant from the player who during his zenith competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions 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 goal and two assists 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 game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great 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 misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to return from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
