Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, 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 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 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, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime rivaled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim 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 caused local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great sees comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared 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 knows perfectly how hard it is to come back from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
