Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time

As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.

The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.

It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.

After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.

His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.

Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.

Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.

He's against the clock.

On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.

"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.

He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.

"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."

Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his prime competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Of his several attacking returns so far, five 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 Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.

Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit for the World Cup.

Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.

But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my fitness level."

In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.

Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.

With his 79 goals, 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 confronted fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July.

The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life.

When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this countless times already."

The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among fans.

There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.

The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.

"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.

Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging 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 prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.