Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As the French winger received the prestigious football award in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously engaging in an online poker tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since coming back to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, crucially, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for 24 months.
He continues to be an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the present time is problematic because he struggles to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his zenith dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - 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 game-changer he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be prepared in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or spring," the Italian told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded 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 win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently there's a problem," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be selected for his next global tournament.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his conduct during matches either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was left in tears 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, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at 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 managed to play, amen," he previously explained, causing displeasure among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees similarities.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's progressing well."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
