Brazil's Unquestioned Star? Neymar Jr's World Cup Countdown Challenge
As Ousmane Dembele received the prestigious football award in the autumn months, Neymar was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an virtual card tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as runner-up, collecting around £73,800 in prize money.
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.
After coming back to his boyhood club Santos in the new year, the experienced attacker has failed to live up to expectations, drawing more attention for comparable situations than for his football.
His return home after 12 seasons away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, most importantly, restore a love of football that seemed diminished after frustrating spells with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been generally unsatisfactory for each stakeholder.
This reflects 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 demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," Brazilian legend Tostao stated in his regular feature.
On midweek, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti disclosed his squad for the forthcoming matches against Korea Republic and Japan and, once again, Neymar was excluded.
"The Prince", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a reference to the legend Pelé, is yet to play under Ancelotti, having been absent from the national team for two years.
He continues to be an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with only two friendly matches in spring 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 undisputed star, carrying huge responsibility on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But no one wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our hopes on him at the moment is difficult because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Omission based on skill level signals deeper issues'
Not just has Neymar had repeated injury problems since his homecoming - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was able to play, he was a distant 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 divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a goal and two assists versus another lower-division opponent, all in the regional competition.
As Santos battle against demotion in the top division, the playmaker no longer seems to be the decisive factor he once was.
Despite that, Ancelotti has asserted that the forward has plenty of time to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His goal must be to be ready in summer. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in autumn, late autumn or March," the coach told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local controversy last month by reportedly trying to protect Neymar, claiming the star had been omitted 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 public perception, it definitely didn't help for Neymar.
"If the player we have invested our faith in to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly something isn't right," Cafu said.
Is a Ronaldo-style comeback possible for Neymar?
Studies from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be called up for his fourth World Cup.
With his 79 goals, Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer, but he hasn't helped his case much with his behaviour on the pitch either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having argued with fans multiple times in venues - it happened in three consecutive matches in July.
The following month, the striker was left in tears after Santos suffered a six-goal loss at home by their rivals - the biggest loss of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a game aftermath discussion, he became frustrated: "Again with this, friend? I've answered this countless times already."
The similar query has been posed to 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 was able to feature, amen," he previously explained, causing anger among supporters.
There's still a slight hope, however, that Neymar's best days haven't ended and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way striker Ronaldo "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to surmount doubt and injuries to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend notes parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo declared 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 knows perfectly how difficult it is to come back from an injury and restore rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Santos star has a few decisive months ahead to show that he's not the heir who abandoned the throne.
