Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But nobody 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."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just 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 available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu said.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Research from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a six-goal home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss 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 answered this countless times already."
The identical inquiry has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days remain possible and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees comparisons.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football recognize fully how challenging 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 show that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
