The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge

While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.

The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.

It was partial comfort on a day when he had to observe the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.

Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.

His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.

Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.

This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.

He's against the clock.

On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.

"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.

He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.

"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."

Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.

As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.

Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.

Ancelotti created local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.

But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level."

In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.

Polls 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 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.

He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.

The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.

When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he also lost his patience: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this countless times already."

The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing anger among followers.

There's still a slight hope, 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 overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.

The Brazilian great notes similarities.

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

Those who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to recover from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well."

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