The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele received 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 previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao 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 revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems 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 the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, 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 number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months 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 spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating 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 no connection to my fitness level."
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 deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided 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 conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent 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 supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to recover from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.