Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As the French winger received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card 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 once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations 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, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, 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 make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently there's a problem," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among followers.
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 striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance 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 recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
