Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, 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 worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games 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, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. 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."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns 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 dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - 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 Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy 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 challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently issues exist," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
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 record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days 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 overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities.
"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 neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
