Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods 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 whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains 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 prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is challenging because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements 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.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently issues exist," Cafu commented.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes parallels.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to come back from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
