ð Share this article The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament. The 33-year-old Brazilian ace ultimately finished as runner-up, collecting around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was some consolation on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win. After returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his on-field performances. His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal. Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for everyone concerned. Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament. He's against the clock. "All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column. On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the upcoming games against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent. "O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the legend PelÃĐ, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years. He also remains an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said. "But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row." 'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues' Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his zenith 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 first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, all in the regional competition. As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has insisted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit 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, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper. Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by allegedly attempting 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 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, obviously issues exist," Cafu commented. Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example? Research from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup. With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either. He seems greater frustration than usual, having exchanged words with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in mid-year. The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his professional life. When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this countless times already." The identical inquiry 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 managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans. There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way forward Ronaldo "FenÃīmeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy. The Brazilian great observes similarities. "He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo. "It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his physical recovery. Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how hard it is to return from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's progressing well." The Santos star has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.