The Brazilian Unquestioned Superstar? Neymar's World Cup Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the prestigious football award in the autumn months, the Brazilian sensation was lying in bed for his third injury of the year - while taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old Brazilian ace eventually placed as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was some consolation on a day when he had to watch the player who previously succeeded him at Barcelona lift the award he had consistently dreamed to win.
Since returning 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 homecoming after a dozen campaigns away was meant to be a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, rekindle a love of football that seemed diminished after disappointing periods with PSG and Al Hilal.
Instead, it has been widely disappointing for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the primary concern being asked right now in Brazil is whether Neymar will make it to the upcoming global tournament.
He's running out of time.
"Even the stars have to demonstrate that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao stated in his newspaper column.
On Wednesday, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed his team selection for the forthcoming matches against South Korea and Japan and, yet again, Neymar was excluded.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when received at Santos in a reference to the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for two years.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the worst scenario, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in March 2026 to prove himself to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's undisputed star, carrying enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu stated.
"But no one wins the World Cup alone. Placing all our hopes on him at the present time is problematic because he has difficulty to even play three games in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not only has Neymar had various physical concerns since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for 47% of Santos' matches this season - but, when he was available for selection, he was a distant from the player who during his peak competed with the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, five have come against teams from divisions below Brazil's first division - a goal and assist against a lower-league side, followed by a three goal involvements versus Inter de Limeira, all in the Sao Paulo State Championship.
As Santos fight relegation 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 ample opportunity to show he is ready for the World Cup.
"His aim must be to be ready in June. It isn't crucial if he's in the squad in October, November or March," the coach told French media.
Ancelotti caused local discussion last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, suggesting the star had been omitted from the team over physical condition issues.
But then Neymar himself contradicted this, saying he "was excluded for technical reasons; it has nothing to do with my physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it undoubtedly worsened the situation for Neymar.
"If the player we have pinned our dreams on to deliver the World Cup is excluded for performance issues, clearly there's a problem," Cafu said.
Can Neymar follow Ronaldo's 2002 example?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are divided over whether Neymar should be selected 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 conduct during matches either.
He seems increased agitation than normal, having confronted fans on several occasions in stadiums - it occurred in three consecutive matches in July.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 home defeat by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When asked by a journalist about his fitness condition in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "Again with this, mate? I've answered this repeatedly already."
The similar query has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to spend five months at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, amen," he earlier stated, causing anger among fans.
There's remaining optimism, however, that Neymar's peak years remain possible and that he will be able to return to prominence the same way forward Ronaldo "FenĂ´meno" did in the 2002 World Cup to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to lead Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo stated during a recent appearance with the forward in Sao Paulo.
"It's an misrepresentation from a small group 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 recover rhythm and confidence. He's moving forward."
The Brazilian forward has a few decisive months ahead to prove that he's not the heir who relinquished his status.
