Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing 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 various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; 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 placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently issues exist," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
