The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Race Against Time

While the French winger received the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, 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 youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.

His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.

Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.

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

He's facing a deadline.

On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.

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

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

Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues 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 different to the player who during his peak rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.

Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.

As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.

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

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

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

In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.

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

With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.

He seems increased agitation than usual, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.

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

When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."

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

"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.

There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.

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

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

Those who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."

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