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

As the French winger was crowned the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.

The 33-year-old Brazilian ace 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 watch the player who once replaced 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 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.

His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, rekindle a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.

Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.

Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.

He's against the clock.

On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.

"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.

He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.

"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."

Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.

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 goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.

As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.

Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.

Ancelotti created 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 challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."

In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.

Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.

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 successive games in July.

The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his career.

When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."

The identical inquiry 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 managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among fans.

There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.

The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes similarities.

"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.

Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to recover from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's moving forward."

The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.