The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger was crowned the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward 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 rediscover his best and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than 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 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 ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."
In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "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. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
