🔗 Share this article The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge As the French winger was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament. The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as runner-up, earning around £73,800 in prize money. It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness 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 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances. His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, rekindle a love of football that seemed lost after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal. Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder. Such is 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 running out of time. "Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature. On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent. "O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back 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 continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu stated. "But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he has difficulty 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 multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition. As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was. Despite that, Ancelotti has insisted 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, late autumn or March," the Italian 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 physical condition issues. But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for tactical decisions; it has no connection to 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 deliver the World Cup is excluded for technical reasons, evidently issues exist," Cafu said. Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example? Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be selected 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 greater frustration than usual, having argued with fans multiple times in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July. The next month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life. When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already." The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans. There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes similarities. "He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city. "It's an misrepresentation from a small group who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation. Those who have been in football knows perfectly how difficult it is to come back from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward." The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.