Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup 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 - simultaneously participating in an online poker tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern 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 demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao commented in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the announcement of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his return to Brazil - he's missed 47% 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 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the number 10 no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti stirred local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted 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 fitness level."
In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, 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 on several occasions in venues - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he earlier stated, causing anger among followers.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to return from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.
