It has been almost three years since Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, featured for the Selecao.

He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament versus Uruguay in late 2023 and subsequently made just seven appearances for Al-Hilal, before returning to boyhood club Santos last year.

A mini revival has earned Neymar a spot in Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the World Cup, though a calf issue has rendered him doubtful for their tournament opener against Morocco on 13 June.

He sat out a 6-2 friendly win over Panama and will also be absent when Ancelotti's side wrap up their preparations against Egypt next Saturday, in Cleveland. 

In Neymar's absence, Vinicius, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha and Luiz Henrique formed a fluid front four against Panama, while Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes formed a two-man midfield.

If Neymar is to make an impact at the World Cup, Ancelotti says he will have to do so from a central position, meaning he will battle Vinicius and Raphinha for a spot.

"Neymar has to play in the position he's meant to play," Ancelotti said. "That is in the centre of the field; he can't play on the wing. 

"He won't play as a winger; he'll play in the centre of the field, as a forward or attacking midfielder, in one of those positions.

"That's the position Vinicius and Raphinha played today."

So far this year in Brazil's Serie A, Neymar has played 686 minutes for Santos. All of those minutes have seen him play in central areas, with 49 percent as a striker and 51 percent as a number 10.

Neymar is one of only three players to have both scored and assisted at each of the last three World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Ivan Perisic.

Only Cafu (142) – a two-time World Cup winner in 1994 and 2002 – has won more caps for Brazil than Neymar's 128, with his 79 goals putting him two clear of Pele's 77.

Ancelotti was also asked if he would be able to find a space for former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, to which he replied: "I want to keep things a bit under wraps until the World Cup, otherwise we'll run out of things to talk about!

"It's a bit of a help for you lot, because we've run out of things to say about Neymar."

After facing Morocco in New Jersey, the Selecao take on Haiti, in Philadelphia on 19 June, then conclude Group C against Scotland, in Miami on 24 June.