The Brazilian Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
As the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form 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 each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are ready. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed 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 two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, 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.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is challenging because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his peak rivaled Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted 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 definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected 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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."
The same kind of question 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, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to return from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
