That is the unavoidable starting point with Neymar. The report says Ancelotti sees recent improvement and believes the forward has produced good performances while building rhythm again, but it also makes clear there is caution around a player coming back from physical problems.
That is the balance Brazil have to weigh:
Ancelotti’s reported caveat - “há jogos e jogos” - feels important. One sharp display is not the same as proving you can sustain the demands of elite tournament football.
The tactical question may be even tougher than the emotional one. The report says Ancelotti wants a side with four attackers who can run, press and recover without the ball. That is a demanding brief, especially for a player who has often been at his best with freedom rather than constant defensive work.
Still, Neymar offers qualities few others in the pool can replicate:
If Ancelotti believes those gifts outweigh the physical compromise, there is a case. If he wants relentless verticality and pressure from the front, the fit becomes less obvious.
The loudest part of this story is Ancelotti’s insistence on autonomy. The report says he feels no pressure to include Neymar, even while acknowledging how admired the forward remains by supporters and team-mates. That matters. Big international decisions can be distorted by history; Ancelotti appears determined to keep this one in the present tense.
Now the focus shifts to the list itself. If Neymar is in, every training session will be watched for clues about his role. If he is out, the next question will be just as sharp: not whether the door is closed, but how soon he can force it open again.