Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time

As the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.

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

Since coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.

His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.

Instead, 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 participate in the upcoming global tournament.

He's against the clock.

On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.

"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.

He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.

"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play three games in a row."

Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his peak dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.

As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.

Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.

But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."

In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.

Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up 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 increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in mid-year.

The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.

When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this countless times already."

The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.

There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.

The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.

"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.

Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."

The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.