Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea 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 legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team 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 March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his peak rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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 goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected 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 conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
