Brazil's Undisputed Superstar? Neymar Jr's Global Tournament Race Against Time
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while engaging in an online poker 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 observe the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona claim the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the 33-year-old forward has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for similar incidents than for his football.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to regain his form and, crucially, restore a passion for the game that seemed lost after disappointing periods with PSG and the Saudi club.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory 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 upcoming global tournament.
He's facing a deadline.
"All players have to demonstrate that they are fit. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao wrote in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was not in it.
"O Principe", as he was nicknamed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the autumn fixtures, which, in the worst scenario, 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.
"Over a decade and a half, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, shouldering huge responsibility on his own," former AC Milan and Roma legend Cafu remarked.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Placing all our expectations on him at the moment is problematic because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his homecoming - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a far cry from the player who during his peak competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his several attacking returns so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's first division - a scoring contribution against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus Inter de Limeira, 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 decisive factor he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has ample opportunity to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be prepared in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti stirred local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, stating the star had been omitted from the team over fitness concerns.
But then Neymar himself disputed it, saying he "was left out for technical reasons; 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, clearly there's a problem," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that the Brazilian public 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 behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in mid-year.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the biggest loss of his professional life.
When asked by a reporter about his physical state in a post-match interview, he showed irritation: "This topic again, mate? I've responded to this countless times already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's strategy was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To regain fitness. If Neymar managed to play, amen," he earlier stated, causing displeasure among followers.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome skepticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great notes similarities.
"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 overstatement from a minority who believe he's neglecting his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how difficult it is to recover from an injury and recover form and self-belief. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to demonstrate that he's not the prince who stepped away from greatness.
