Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming 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 2026 World Cup.
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 the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play 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 only two friendly matches in March 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 stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is challenging because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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 Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, 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.
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 ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; 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 observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees comparisons.
"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 small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to come back from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.