Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as second place, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play 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 worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - 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 dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up 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 increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
