🔗 Share this article Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in late September, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an virtual card tournament. The veteran Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, securing around seventy-three thousand pounds in prize money. It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win. Since returning to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this than for his football. His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, restore a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal. Conversely, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved. Such is the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup. He's facing a deadline. "All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column. On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician announced his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was absent. "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 missing from the Selecao for two years. He continues to be an injury doubt for the autumn fixtures, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the announcement of the final list for the World Cup. "Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, 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 moment is difficult because he struggles to even play multiple matches in a row." 'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar' Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his prime dared to challenge Lionel Messi and the Portuguese icon. Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements 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 difference maker he previously represented. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup. "His aim must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, late autumn or spring," the coach told French media. Ancelotti caused local controversy last month by allegedly attempting to protect Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns. But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; it has no connection to my fitness level." In terms of popular view, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar. "If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented. Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar? Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split over whether Neymar should be called up for his next global tournament. With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his conduct during matches either. He seems increased agitation than usual, having argued with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July. The next month, the forward was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his professional life. When asked by a reporter about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've responded to this countless times already." The similar query has been posed to his father and agent Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans. There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way forward Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome skepticism and injuries to lead Brazil to the World Cup title. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend sees parallels. "He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city. "It's an exaggeration from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation. Anyone who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to recover from an setback and restore rhythm and confidence. He's progressing well." The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.