The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning 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 consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of 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 return to peak condition and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern 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 announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% 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 Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, 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 decisive factor he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
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 public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this 500 times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to recover from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
