The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around ÂŁ73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a goal and assist 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 difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared 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, November or March," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to protect 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 no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage 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 forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's ignoring his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to recover from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
