Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
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 demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic 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 fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit 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 March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming 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 invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this 500 times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward 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 notes 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 overstatement from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to recover from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
