This Is Why 'Naughty' Neymar Was Dropped As Brazil Captain

28th May 2019 - by AFP

Head coach Tite replaces star striker with PSG teammate Dani Alves as Selecao leader for Copa America charge

Brazil's striker Neymar (L) celebrates with Brazil's striker Roberto Firmino (R) after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the international friendly football match between Brazil and Uruguay at The Emirates Stadium in London on November 16, 2018. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

Eight-time winners Brazil face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in the group stage, which starts on June 14, after two friendlies against Qatar and Honduras
Tite's decision comes after Neymar's altercation with a fan at the French Cup final on April 27 and a Champions League suspension for insulting a match official after PSG's defeat to Manchester United
"The most important thing is to have an exchange with Neymar, as I did with Douglas Costa (when the Juventus player was involved in a spitting incident). Any problems regarding a player's behavior will be treated as a matter of education."-Tite

RIO-DE-JANEIRO, Brazil- Dani Alves will replace PSG teammate Neymar as the captain of the Brazilian national team in the Copa America, the country's football federation (CBF) announced as the star striker's disciplinary issues prompted the decision.

"The decision was communicated to Neymar by (coach) Tite on Saturday," CBF said in a statement about the striker, who was handed a three-match suspension for lashing out at a spectator following Paris Saint-Germain's shock defeat by Rennes in the French Cup final earlier this month.

Eight-time winners Brazil face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in the group stage, which starts on June 14, after two friendlies against Qatar and Honduras.

Neymar, 27, missed the humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat by Germany in 2014 due to injury after fracturing his back in the previous round.

A year earlier, he was named player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup as Brazil won the competition for a record fourth time.

Education matter

Tite's decision comes after Neymar's altercation with a fan at the French Cup final on April 27 and a Champions League suspension for insulting a match official after PSG's defeat to Manchester United.

Tite said last week that he planned to speak to Neymar about his behavior.

"Neymar made a mistake, which was his fault," Tite said. "I will speak with Neymar about it. I will speak with him about manners. I will speak with Neymar as the Brazil coach, but also as a human being. It will be about manners and principles.

"The most important thing is to have an exchange with Neymar, as I did with Douglas Costa (when the Juventus player was involved in a spitting incident). Any problems regarding a player's behavior will be treated as a matter of education."