Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that Neymar's improvements over the last few months have put him in contention to feature in Brazil's World Cup squad this summer. 

Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, when he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a qualifying defeat to Uruguay. 

The 34-year-old was given two months to prove his worth to Ancelotti for a spot in Brazil's roster for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

And Neymar has responded by registering six goal involvements (four goals, two assists) in seven appearances for Santos in Brazil's Serie A so far this season. 

He has featured in three of FIFA's flagship competitions, with this likely to be his last crack at international glory, with Brazil out for their first title since 2002. 

Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals and was included in Ancelotti's preliminary World Cup squad before the official party is confirmed on May 18. 

"I think it's normal for everyone to have their say," Ancelotti told Reuters. "I'd like to thank everyone who gave me advice.

"When you have to choose, you have to consider many things.

"In this respect, Neymar is an important player for this country, because of the talent he has always shown, and because he had a problem from which he is recovering.

"He is working hard to recover, he is playing. He has improved a lot recently and is playing consistently. Obviously, for me, it's not such a simple decision.

"I have to weigh up the pros and cons. But that doesn't put pressure on me, because, as I said, for a year now, we've been assessing not just Neymar, but all the players."

Neymar has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 matches at the World Cup, with only Ronaldo Nazario (19), Pele (18) and Jairzinho (12) directly contributing to more goals in the competition for Brazil. 

Since their last triumph at the World Cup in 2022, the closest Brazil have got to their sixth crown came in 2014 on home soil, only to lose 7-1 to Germany, a match Neymar missed after sustaining a fractured vertebra in his spine against Colombia in the previous match. 

"Neymar is much loved," Ancelotti added. "Not just by the fans, but by the players, too.

"If you call on Neymar, you won't be causing a stir in the dressing room, because he's so well-liked, loved so much."

Of Ancelotti's 55-man preliminary squad, Chelsea's Estevao and Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Eder Militao were not included due to suffering with respective injury issues. 

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. The five-time world champions will also go up against Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

"I am the best-placed person to make this decision," Ancelotti said when asked about selecting the correct players for Brazil's squad. 

"Because of the information that I have on all the Brazilian players this year, nobody else has. So, I am the best-placed person.

"Can I put together a perfect squad? Impossible. But I can put together a squad with fewer mistakes, compared to others. Of that, I am certain."