Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, 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, bearing massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment 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 multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared 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 created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up 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 in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having argued with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to return from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
