Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness 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 experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, 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 each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic 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 multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
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 asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to 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 deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
