Ancelotti is blessed with strength in depth upfront that few other countries can match. Alongside Cunha and Martinelli, household names such as Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Rodrygo are all competing for minutes, along with Chelsea wonderkid Estevao, while injury-plagued legend Neymar has an outside chance of making the World Cup squad if he can prove his fitness at Santos in the coming months.
That does not mean that Thiago's dream is unrealistic, though. The battle for the role of Brazil's first-choice striker is wide open, with Richarlison and Joao Pedro still struggling for consistency at Tottenham and Chelsea, respectively, and former Botafogo man Igor Jesus yet to find his feet at Nottingham Forest.
Ancelotti could opt to play with a false nine next summer, but as it stands, Thiago may be his best option. Brazil can turn on 'Joga Bonito' mode and blow away the lesser teams at the newly-expanded tournament, but against the more well-drilled sides, Thiago's presence could make the difference. When the ball goes up to him, it sticks, and he rarely makes the wrong decision.
His spatial awareness is an unsung aspect of his game, too. Thiago knows instinctively when and where to make penetrative runs. With a host of world-class players providing service, he could run riot in North America. Of course, it's impossible to say how Thiago would cope with the step up to the most prestigious stage in football and the pressure it brings, but he's exceeded expectations throughout his career, driven by unbreakable self-belief.
“It’s my biggest goal,” Thiago affirmed when quizzed on a potential Brazil call-up. “When I reach there, which I will, it’ll mean I’ve made it.” With that elite mentality, anything is possible.