The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
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 coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be 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 prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, 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 once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused 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 challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with 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 win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? 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 a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
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 Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
