Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 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 undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
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 able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 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 ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded 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 physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, 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 performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies 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 greater frustration than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
