Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged Neymar to focus on being ready for next year's World Cup, saying the country's all-time leading scorer remains crucial to his plans.

Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

Neymar (3rd R) of Brazil vies with Luka Modric of Croatia during the Quarterfinal match between Croatia and Brazil of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star returned to action last October after more than a year on the sidelines but has since struggled with a series of minor muscle injuries.

"He is a very important player for our team in the World Cup," Ancelotti said in an interview with South American football confederation CONMEBOL published on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Santos announced it had reached an agreement to extend Neymar's contract until December. The 33-year-old has made just 12 appearances since rejoining his boyhood club from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in January.

"He needs to prepare well," said Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil last month after leaving Real Madrid. "He has time for that. I spoke to him about that: to prepare well, because we believe he should be a very important player."

Brazil will conclude its World Cup qualifying campaign against Chile and Bolivia in September. The five-time World Cup winners are currently third in the 10-team South American zone standings and have already secured a place at football's showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 matches for Brazil since his international debut in 2010.