The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
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 facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed 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 welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 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 unquestioned talisman, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time 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 October, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield 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 fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry 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 managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to come back from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
