Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, securing 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 lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems 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 the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, 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 greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
