Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, 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 most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend 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 struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his peak dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted 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 undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in successive games in July.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for 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 still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "FenĂ´meno" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes comparisons.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to recover from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
