Ancelotti warns Vinicius and Brazil players must be fully fit for World Cup selection

Carlo Ancelotti reiterated his policy for only picking fully fit players for the World Cup, warning Vinicius Junior he must be 100% ready to be selected for next year's squad.

Ancelotti issued a similar caution to Neymar last month when asked why he had not been included in the squad for the November internationals, claiming he would not be recalled until he was 100% game-ready.

Vinicius scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in June to secure Brazil's place in the World Cup.

Unlike Neymar, the 25-year-old has been involved in Ancelotti's squads, though his last goal came on October 10 against South Korea.

Vinicius has scored eight goals in 45 appearances for his national team since making his debut in 2019.

Though there have not been any issues with Vinicius' fitness so far, Ancelotti pointed out that his policy applies to everybody on his side, even those seen as regular starters.

"There are many high-quality players, and I need to choose those who are at 100%," Ancelotti told Esporte Record.

"It's not just about Neymar; it could be Vinicius.

"If Vinicius is at 90%, I will call up another player who is at 100%, because this is a team with a very high level of competitiveness, especially in attack, where we have many excellent players."

One player who has impressed Ancelotti has been Chelsea's Estevao, who has netted five goals since his move to Stamford Bridge.

"I think so," he said. "Based on how Estevao has played in the last six months, I think so. Estevao will be at the World Cup.

"He is a very, very special player. He is very different because he has a big natural talent. It doesn't mean that he is 100% developed because of his age.

"In terms of his talent, he can't improve it, but what he can do is to give continuity."

Brazil go to the World Cup looking to win their sixth World Cup title, having not lifted the trophy since 2002.