Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to 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, most importantly, rekindle a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team 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 revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, carrying huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with 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 deliver the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
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 historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans on several occasions in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes similarities.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
