The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup 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 participating in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, 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 final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith competed with Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the forward was left in tears 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 physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
