Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While the French winger received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team 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 a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut 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 worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing massive pressure on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only 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 able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro 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 goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker 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 ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with 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 deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly there's a problem," Cafu observed.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Research from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans repeatedly in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The similar query has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among fans.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to return from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
