The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge

While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.

It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.

After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his football.

His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.

Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.

Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament.

He's against the clock.

On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.

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

He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.

"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."

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 available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his peak dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.

Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.

As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented.

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

Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.

But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."

In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.

Polls from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.

With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.

He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.

The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.

When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this 500 times already."

The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers.

There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over 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 championship trophy.

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

"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.

Those who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to come back from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."

The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.