The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele was crowned the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - while participating in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents 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, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, carrying enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is challenging because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems 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 different to the player who during his prime rivaled the Argentine maestro 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 Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
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 greater frustration than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, friend? 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 managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing outrage among followers.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to return from an setback and regain form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
