The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge

While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.

It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed 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 episodes like this than for his on-field performances.

His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.

Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.

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

He's running out of time.

On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.

"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing 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 spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.

"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row."

Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.

As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented.

Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit for the World Cup.

Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.

But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."

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

Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.

With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.

He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July.

The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.

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

The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among followers.

There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form 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 Brazilian great observes parallels.

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

Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to return from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."

The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.