The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While the French winger claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran Brazilian ace ultimately finished as second place, securing around £73,800 in prize money.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had long hoped to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances.
His homecoming after 12 seasons away was meant to be a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"Even the stars have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", 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 national team for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two exhibition games 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 unquestioned talisman, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes 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 been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak competed with the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he previously represented.
Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready 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, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of public perception, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, obviously issues exist," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, 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 more on edge than normal, having confronted fans multiple times in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this 500 times already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. To what end? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome doubt and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's neglecting his physical recovery.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to come back from an injury and regain 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 abandoned the throne.
