Neymar loses Brazil’s captaincy to Alves

Neymar has lost the captaincy of the Brazilian national team to veteran Dani Alves, his teammate in Paris Saint Germain.

The immediate implication is that 36 year-old Alves will wear the captaincy band as Brazil prepares to host Copa America in June. He is expected to lead the team in a friendly against Qatar on June 5.

Neymar was named permanent Brazil captain by head coach Tite in September 2018.

In a statement released on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said: “The decision was communicated to Neymar by Tite on Saturday.”

The announcement comes after a turbulent end to the season for Neymar at Ligue 1 champions PSG, where coach Thomas Tuchel has ruled out the former Barcelona star becoming captain.

Neymar – who scored 23 goals in all competitions this season after recovering from a foot injury – is set to serve a three-match ban for striking an opposition supporter after last month’s Coupe de France defeat against Rennes.

The 27-year-old also appeared to be weighed down by the burden of expectations on his shoulders during Brazil’s World Cup campaign last year as the Selecao lost in the quarter-finals.

Brazil are set to host the Copa America, with the eight-time champions – who failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2016 – drawn alongside Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela in Group A.