Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has clarified his position on Neymar being in his plans for the FIFA World Cup next summer. The Santos ace has yet to appear for the Selecao since Ancelotti's appointment in June due to his injury problems, mostly. Former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti was asked by reporters if the forward stands a chance of making it to the World Cup next year. The coach responded in the affirmative, stating clearly that if the 33-year-old is fit and the level of any of his attackers when the squad is named in May, then he will be invited. “I understand you guys are very interested in Neymar. I want to clarify. We are in December, World Cup is in June. When I announce the squad in May, if Neymar deserves to go, if he’s well, if he’s better or same as another, he will play the World Cup, period”, he said (via @FabrizioRomano on X).The superstar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, spending two years away from the national team since then. In his last appearance for the Selecao, the former Barcelona man suffered a severe ACL injury that left him sidelined for over a year, and unable to play for Al-Hilal, his then-club. Brazil's record goalscorer with 79 goals, the forward has played in each of the last three editions of the FIFA World Cup. He appears to have picked up a bit of form as the 2025 season is coming to an end in Brazil, and has scored eight times in 19 league appearances for Santos, who he joined in January.Neymar makes World Cup plea with Santos hat-trick Brazil great Neymar has sent out a message to national team coach Carlo Ancelotti with a hat-trick for Santos in the Brasileirao Serie A. The experienced forward scored thrice to help his side defeat Juventude and climb out of the relegation places amid their bid to beat the drop this season. Despite carrying a meniscus injury, the former Al-Hilal ace managed to plunder three goals in the second half against Juventude. He scored his first goal in the 56th minute and his third from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute prior to his substitution in the 83rd minute of the encounter.Neymar will play his final game of the season against Cruzeiro before undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair his injured knee afterwards. He will hope to regain full fitness in order to give himself the best chance of playing in the Mundial next summer.