The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge

While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament.

The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.

It was limited solace on a day when he had to observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had long hoped to win.

Since returning to his youth team 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 return home after 12 seasons 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 disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.

Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for each stakeholder.

This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will make it to the 2026 World Cup.

He's facing a deadline.

On Wednesday, Brazil head coach the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was not in it.

"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the Selecao for two years.

He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.

"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."

Not only has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant from the player who during his peak rivaled the Argentine maestro and the Portuguese icon.

Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.

As Santos fight relegation in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is prepared for the World Cup.

Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.

But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my physical condition."

In terms of popular view, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.

Research from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected for his fourth World Cup.

With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.

He seems more on edge than usual, having exchanged words with fans repeatedly in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.

The following month, the forward was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.

When asked by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've responded to this 500 times already."

The same kind of question has been directed at his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.

"Neymar's plan was to remain for five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among supporters.

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 "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to surmount skepticism and injuries to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.

The Brazilian great sees comparisons.

"It's an overstatement from a small group who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation.

Anyone who have been in football understand completely how hard it is to return from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's progressing well."

The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.