The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele was crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar 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, securing around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos in January, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for episodes like this 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, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed gone after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club.
Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for each stakeholder.
Such is the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will participate in the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"All players have to prove that they are ready. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his squad for the upcoming games against South Korea and the Asian nation and, yet again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been missing from the national team for 24 months.
He also remains an injury doubt for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with only two friendly matches in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's clear standout, bearing massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 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 prepared for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be prepared in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion 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 contradicted this, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has no connection to my physical condition."
In terms of popular view, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to win the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included for his next global tournament.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's historical leading marksman, but he hasn't improved his situation much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in successive games in July.
The next month, the striker was emotional after Santos suffered a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the heaviest defeat of his career.
When questioned by a reporter about his fitness condition in a game aftermath discussion, he showed irritation: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's plan was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among supporters.
There's continuing belief, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to resurrect his form the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the World Cup title.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a vital player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared during a recent event with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to come back from an setback and restore form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to show that he's not the prince who abandoned the throne.