🔗 Share this article Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament. The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in tournament winnings. It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win. Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances. His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club. Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned. This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup. He's facing a deadline. "All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature. On Wednesday, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent. "O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months. He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup. "For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked. "But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row." 'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar' Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition. As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup. "His goal must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or March," the coach told French media. Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues. But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level." In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar. "If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously issues exist," Cafu said. Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example? Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included 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 behaviour on the pitch either. He seems greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July. The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life. When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already." The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters. There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities. "He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo. "It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery. Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track." The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.