Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements 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 difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect 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 technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
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 there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to return from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
