Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness 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 the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing 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 difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - 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 number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by reportedly trying 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 excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," 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 improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to return from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
