The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge

While the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.

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

Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.

His homecoming 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 diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.

Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.

This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.

He's running out of time.

On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea 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 legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.

He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.

"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."

Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his peak rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.

Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution 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 game-changer he previously represented.

Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.

Ancelotti caused local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.

But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."

In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.

Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided 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 helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.

He seems increased agitation than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.

The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat 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 repeatedly already."

The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.

There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.

The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.

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

Those who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to return from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."

The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.