🔗 Share this article The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time As the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament. The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim 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, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football. His return home after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal. Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved. Such is 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. "Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature. On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it. "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 missing from the national team for 24 months. 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 final list for the World Cup. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked. "But no one wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row." 'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right' Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon. Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, 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. Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup. "His goal must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or spring," the coach told French media. Ancelotti created local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to protect 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 nothing to do with my fitness level." In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar. "If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, clearly issues exist," Cafu said. Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example? Research from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament. With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either. He seems increased agitation than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July. The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the heaviest defeat of his professional life. When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already." The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among supporters. There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes similarities. "He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city. "It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation. Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an setback 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 stepped away from greatness.