Will Neymar save his last dream?

Neymar recently celebrated his 34th birthday amidst significant challenges in his career, particularly with the World Cup just 18 weeks away. This period represents a crucial opportunity for Neymar to prove his worth and secure a place in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazilian national team. He must overcome his recovery phase and return to his peak form. Throughout his career, Neymar has achieved considerable success, including winning the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores, but he has yet to reach the lofty goals that everyone envisioned for him in his early days, especially winning the Ballon d'Or and the World Cup. He suffered a serious knee injury about two and a half years ago while representing his country, and he continues to struggle with its effects, which have impacted his form and performance. This is especially true since his return to Santos, which hasn't lived up to expectations, as he has suffered recurring injuries due to the intense pressure of playing at a high level. Despite this, Neymar still possesses his shooting and passing skills, but the most important question is whether he can rediscover his form in major matches, especially with the World Cup fast approaching. The Brazilian domestic league is structured differently today, with the regional championships losing their importance and the national league, which started earlier this season, gaining prominence. This gives Neymar more opportunities to prove himself to coach Ancelotti, who has emphasized that the player's inclusion depends on his form and fitness. Ancelotti stressed the importance of physical readiness and enthusiasm, asserting that Neymar will not be in the squad if he doesn't maintain a consistently high level of performance. He also explained that the final squad selection will be made after the international break in March, indicating that the team can compete strongly in the World Cup with or without Neymar. Tactically, Ancelotti believes Neymar should play as a false nine, not as a winger or center forward, as the team needs a player who can operate deep and provide excellent passing options. Competition for this position is fierce, with young players like Andrej from Real Madrid and João Pedro from Chelsea, increasing the pressure on Neymar to rediscover his best form. With the World Cup approaching, Neymar faces one last big challenge to achieve his biggest dream, as this could be his last chance to add the missing world title to his list of achievements.