Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced 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 fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He also remains an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult 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 repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 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 fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently something isn't right," Cafu observed.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great observes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
