Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 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 unquestioned talisman, shouldering massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split 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 improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"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 minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to recover from an setback and regain rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
