🔗 Share this article The Brazilian Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's World Cup Race Against Time As the French winger claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, the Brazilian sensation was undergoing therapy for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an virtual card tournament. The veteran football star ultimately finished as second place, collecting around £73,800 in prize money. It was partial comfort on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona receive the award he had consistently dreamed to win. After coming back to his youth team Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has fallen short of expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his on-field performances. His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, revive a love of football that seemed gone after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and the Saudi club. Conversely, it has been largely underwhelming for everyone concerned. This reflects the situation that the main question being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will participate in the 2026 World Cup. He's running out of time. "Even the stars have to prove that they are fit. The time is passing [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao commented in his newspaper column. On midweek, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was absent. "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 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 demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the final list for the World Cup. "For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, bearing huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu said. "But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he has difficulty to even play multiple matches in a row." 'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues' Not only has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his homecoming - he's missed 47% of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was able to play, he was a different to the player who during his zenith competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's top flight - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus another lower-division opponent, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship. As Santos battle against demotion in the Brazilian first tier, the playmaker no longer seems to be the difference maker he once was. Despite that, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is prepared for the World Cup. "His aim must be to be ready in summer. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in autumn, November or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper. Ancelotti stirred local controversy last month by reportedly trying to shield Neymar, stating the star had been excluded from the team over fitness concerns. But then Neymar himself challenged the claim, saying he "was left out for tactical decisions; it has nothing to do with my physical condition." In terms of fan opinion, it definitely didn't help for Neymar. "If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for performance issues, evidently something isn't right," Cafu commented. Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example? Studies from Datafolha found that the Brazilian public are split over whether Neymar should be included 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 confronted fans on several occasions in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in mid-year. The next month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a six-goal loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his professional life. When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, friend? I've responded to this 500 times already." The identical inquiry has been directed at his father and agent Neymar Sr as well. "Neymar's strategy was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing outrage among fans. There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's prime period haven't ended and that he will be able to revive his career the same way striker Ronaldo "Fenômeno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the World Cup title. The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes comparisons. "He's a essential player for Brazil - there's no one else like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo. "It's an misrepresentation from a minority who believe he's disregarding his fitness rehabilitation. Those who have been in football recognize fully how difficult it is to come back from an injury and regain form and self-belief. He's right on track." The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to demonstrate that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.