Brazil coach Scolari wants Neymar to be a team player

Brasilia: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Friday threw his support behind Neymar, the under-pressure star widely-regarded as Pele’s heir apparent.

Neymar, who has just signed for Barcelona from Santos, Pele’s former club, has come in for repeated criticism from the media, who feel that he has not produced the goods for the Selecao.

He hasn’t scored for nine games for club and country though the trend could change when Brazil kicked off the Confederations Cup against Asian champions, Japan on Saturday. “He does not wear 11 jerseys but one - he is part of a team,” Scolari told a press conference on Friday.

“He has done what is requested of him with a lot of dedication.

“We want him to be a useful, team player - that is what makes a good player,” added Scolari, who expressed some frustration with what he feels is an overly-critical press.

“Everyone from abroad respects us a lot yet here in Brazil people are always saying what a bad team we have. Yet it is crucial to have the crowd supporting us,” said Scolari, as he insisted that the team did not have to feel extra pressure simply because the three-time Confederations Cup winners are hosts.

Scolari said on returning to the job last November in place of sacked Mano Menezes that he was clear the fans would demand success and expect to win both the Confederations Cup and next summer’s World Cup - also on home soil.

But he said achieving those aims were advancing step by step.

“We must dedicate ourselves to helping Brazil evolve in all areas, not just in terms of football. We must be patient.”

Scolari said he wanted to produce attacking, flowing football but said ability to adapt was what counted for him.

“I have to adapt players - obviously they won’t all play the same way they play for their clubs, so we must adapt. We need to give the players freedom to play based on their characteristics.”