Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Dani Alves for Copa America
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian star Neymar has lost his national team’s captaincy for the Copa America to veteran Dani Alves.
Brazil’s football confederation, CBF, said in a statement on Monday the 36-year-old defender will start wearing the armband in the friendly against Qatar on June 5 in Brasilia.
CBF also said Brazil coach Tite informed Neymar of his decision on Saturday, the day the Paris Saint-Germain striker arrived at the national team’s training ground outside Rio de Janeiro.
The 27-year-old Neymar was Brazil’s captain since the elimination in the World Cup quarterfinals against Belgium in 2018.
Tite’s decision comes after Neymar’s altercation with a fan at the French Cup final on April 27.
The Copa America will be played in Brazil between June 14 and July 7.
