PSG’s Neymar stripped of Brazil captaincy for Copa America

Rio de Janeiro: Neymar has been replaced as captain of the Brazil national team for next month’s Copa America by Paris St-Germain teammate Dani Alves, the country’s football federation has said.

The Copa America will be played from June 14 to July 7, with hosts Brazil, who have not won the title since 2007, taking on Bolivia in the opening match in Sao Paulo before facing Venezuela and Peru.

“Daniel Alves will be captain of the Brazilian national team in the friendly matches against Qatar and Honduras and in Copa America Brazil 2019,” the CBF said in a statement.

Right back Alves, who has 138 caps for Brazil, was informed of his new role on Sunday. The 36-year-old has captained his country on four previous occasions, the last of which was a 1-0 friendly victory over Germany in 2018.

Brazil coach Tite had named Neymar permanent captain a few months after Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Belgium last year, but has been under pressure to replace the 27-year-old due to his disciplinary issues.

Neymar was banned for three matches by the French football authorities earlier this month for hitting a fan after PSG’s French Cup final loss to Stade Rennes, and was also reportedly involved in a dressing fracas with his PSG teammates.

Tite informed him on Saturday that he would not captain Brazil at the Copa America, the CBF said.