Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, collecting around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was some consolation 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 boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, rekindle a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On Wednesday, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a nod toward the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent 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 exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - 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 prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist 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 Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level."
In terms of public perception, 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, clearly something isn't right," Cafu observed.
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 included 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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome doubt and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how hard it is to recover from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.
