Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift 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, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
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.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 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 unquestioned talisman, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time 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 repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, 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, clearly there's a problem," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament.
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 more on edge than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great observes similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an injury and recover 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 relinquished his status.
