Brazil's Undisputed Star? Neymar's Global Tournament Countdown Challenge
While Ousmane Dembele claimed the 2025 Ballon d'Or in late September, Neymar was receiving treatment for his third injury of the year - simultaneously taking part in an online poker tournament.
The 33-year-old football star ultimately finished as second place, earning around £73,800 in prize money.
It was limited solace on a day when he had to witness the player who once replaced him at Barcelona claim the award he had long hoped to win.
After returning to his youth team Santos in January, the experienced attacker has fallen short of expectations, attracting more attention for episodes like this than for his on-field performances.
His return home after a dozen campaigns away was intended as a chance for him to return to peak condition and, crucially, revive a love of football that seemed lost after disappointing periods with Paris St-Germain and Al Hilal.
Conversely, it has been generally unsatisfactory for all parties involved.
This reflects the situation that the key issue being asked right now in Brazil is if Neymar will be part of the 2026 World Cup.
He's against the clock.
"All players have to prove that they are prepared. The deadline approaches [for him]," 1970 World Cup-winner Tostao wrote in his newspaper column.
On midweek, Brazil manager the Italian tactician revealed his squad for the upcoming games against Korea Republic and the Asian nation and, once again, Neymar was absent.
"O Principe", as he was dubbed when welcomed back at Santos in a nod toward the king Pele, is still awaiting his debut under Ancelotti, having been absent from the Selecao for 24 months.
He also remains an fitness concern for the November games, which, in the most pessimistic outlook, will leave him with just a pair of exhibition games in spring 2026 to demonstrate his worth to Ancelotti before the revealing of the definitive squad for the World Cup.
"For 15 years, Neymar was Brazil's unquestioned talisman, shouldering enormous expectations on his own," Brazilian icon Cafu said.
"But nobody wins the World Cup single-handedly. Putting all our expectations on him at the present time is difficult because he finds it hard to even play multiple matches in a row."
'Technical exclusion raises serious questions about Neymar'
Not just has Neymar had multiple fitness issues since his return to Brazil - he's been absent for nearly half of Santos' matches this campaign - but, when he was available for selection, he was a different to the player who during his prime rivaled the Argentine maestro and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of his nine goal contributions so far, half have come against teams from lower tiers than Brazil's top flight - 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 game-changer he previously represented.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has maintained that the forward has sufficient months to show he is fit for the World Cup.
"His objective must be to be ready in June. It doesn't matter if he's in the squad in October, November or spring," the Italian told L'Equipe newspaper.
Ancelotti created local debate last month by allegedly attempting to shield Neymar, claiming the star had been excluded 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 physical condition."
In terms of fan opinion, it certainly didn't make it any better for Neymar.
"If the player we have placed all our hopes on to win the World Cup is left out for technical reasons, obviously something isn't right," Cafu commented.
Will Neymar be capable of emulating Ronaldo in 2002?
Polls from a leading polling institute found that Brazilians are split 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 improved his situation much with his in-game attitude either.
He seems more on edge than normal, having argued with fans on several occasions in stadiums - it happened in successive games in mid-year.
The next month, the striker was reduced to crying after Santos endured a 6-0 loss at home by Vasco da Gama - the worst result of his career.
When questioned by a journalist about his physical state in a post-match interview, he became frustrated: "This topic again, mate? I've answered this countless times already."
The same kind of question has been posed to his parent representative Neymar Sr as well.
"Neymar's intention was to remain for a limited period at Santos. For what? To recover. If Neymar was able to feature, so be it," he previously explained, causing displeasure 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 "Phenomenon" did in 2002 to overcome criticism and physical setbacks to guide Brazil to the championship trophy.
The Brazilian great sees parallels.
"He's a crucial player for Brazil - there's nobody like Neymar," Ronaldo said during a recent appearance with the forward in the Brazilian city.
"It's an overstatement from a minority who believe he's ignoring his fitness rehabilitation.
Those who have been in football understand completely how challenging it is to return from an injury and recover rhythm and confidence. He's right on track."
The Brazilian forward has a important timeframe ahead to prove that he's not the heir who stepped away from greatness.