Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time

As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.

The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.

It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.

Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.

His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.

Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.

This reflects 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 facing a deadline.

On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.

"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.

He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.

"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."

Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak competed with Lionel Messi 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 Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.

As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.

Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.

But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."

In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.

Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included 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 in-game attitude either.

He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.

The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.

When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition 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 strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.

There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.

The Brazilian great observes similarities.

"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.

Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to recover from an injury and regain rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."

The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.