The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation 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 still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below 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 number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit 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 March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created 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 challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly issues exist," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split 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 greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to 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 spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career 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 nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to return from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
