🔗 Share this article Brazil's Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Race Against Time While Ousmane Dembele received the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament. The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, earning around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was partial comfort on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim 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 fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for similar incidents than for his football. His homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a passion for the game that seemed gone after frustrating spells with PSG and the Saudi club. Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for all parties involved. This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will be part of the upcoming global tournament. He's running out of time. "Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his regular feature. On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, once again, Neymar was not in it. "O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years. He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two exhibition games in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup. "For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu remarked. "But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is challenging because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row." 'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues' Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his prime dared to challenge the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist 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 Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the game-changer he previously represented. Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup. "His aim must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told French media. Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, suggesting the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns. But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my fitness level." In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar. "If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is left out for performance issues, clearly issues exist," Cafu said. 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 fourth World Cup. 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 greater frustration than usual, having confronted fans multiple times in venues - it happened in successive games in July. The next month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his career. When questioned by a journalist about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "This topic again, friend? I've answered this repeatedly already." The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing outrage among followers. There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period remain possible and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to surmount criticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees comparisons. "He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city. "It's an exaggeration from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation. Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how challenging it is to recover from an setback and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track." The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.