Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time
As the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations 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 missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting 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 physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected 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 normal, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to return from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
