The Brazilian Undisputed Star? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was receiving treatment for his latest physical setback of the year - simultaneously participating in an virtual card tournament.
The veteran football star eventually placed as second place, earning around £73,800 in tournament winnings.
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 coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, attracting more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to rediscover his best and, most importantly, rekindle a passion for the game that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for everyone concerned.
This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are fit. The clock is ticking [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"The Prince", as he was nicknamed when received at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing massive pressure on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup alone. Putting all our expectations on him at the moment is difficult because he finds it hard to even play three games in a row."
'If Neymar is left out for technical reasons, something isn't right'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's missed nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his peak dared to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a goal and assist against Agua Santa, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the number 10 no longer seems to be the game-changer he once was.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal 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 stirred local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; 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 win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, obviously there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Studies from Datafolha found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be included for his fourth World Cup.
With his record tally, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having exchanged words with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos suffered a 6-0 loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss 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 similar query has been posed to his father and agent 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, so be it," he previously explained, causing outrage among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's prime period aren't over and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in 2002 to overcome 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 crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent event with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Anyone who have been in football knows perfectly how challenging it is to return from an injury and restore form and self-belief. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a critical period ahead to show that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
