Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains 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.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody 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 three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti caused local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating 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 no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among supporters.
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 overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to come back from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
