Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns 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 different to the player who during his prime competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit 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, November or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period 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 overcome skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a essential 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 misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
