🔗 Share this article Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - while participating in an virtual card tournament. The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win. After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances. His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club. Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned. This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament. He's facing a deadline. "Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column. On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent. "The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months. He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, 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. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated. "But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row." 'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right' Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge Lionel Messi 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 Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition. As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he previously represented. Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup. "His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper. Ancelotti created local controversy 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 excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level." In terms of public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar. "If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented. 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 called up for his next global tournament. With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either. He seems greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July. The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life. When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already." The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans. There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities. "He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city. "It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation. Those who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to come back from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track." The Santos star has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.