🔗 Share this article Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time As the French winger received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament. The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win. Since coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting 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, revive a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club. Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned. Such is the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup. He's against the clock. "All players have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature. On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent. "The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years. He also remains an injury doubt 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 announcement of the final list for the World Cup. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, bearing enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked. "But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he struggles to even play three games in a row." 'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right' Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his zenith competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition. As Santos fight relegation in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup. "His objective must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told French media. Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns. But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition." In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar. "If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently there's a problem," Cafu observed. Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002? Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup. With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either. He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in successive games in July. The following month, the forward was emotional after Santos endured a six-goal home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life. When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this countless times already." The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to spend a limited period at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among fans. There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the championship trophy. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons. "He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo. "It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation. Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track." The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.