The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around ÂŁ73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who once replaced him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is challenging because he struggles 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 missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his peak competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, 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 decisive factor he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is fit 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, November or spring," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians 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 greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "FenĂ´meno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend observes comparisons.
"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 minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to recover from an setback and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a critical period ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who relinquished his status.
