Neymar became captain of the senior side after Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 to Germany in the World Cup in 2014, but has decided that winning the Olympic gold medal is the right time to hand the captain’s armband to someone else.
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Barca said midfielder Rafinha, also part of Brazil’s Olympic success, would return to training this week.
Manchester City close-season signing Jesus, who is now back on loan at former club Palmeiras, and Weverton, who made a crucial save in the penalty shoot-out victory over Germany in the Olympic final last week, are two of seven Rio gold medallists included.
However, both Sport and Mundo Deportivo claim Luis Enrique has given the forward permission to remain in Brazil until September. Because being a leader has a series of aspects: It has a technical aspect, a technical leadership, and he is a technical leader. There is then another aspect where you can communicate your ideas with the public.
The defender told Marca: ‘It’s not been easy [for Neymar] because to be there [Brazil] meant there was a lot of pressure to win, even though he’s accustomed to that.
Tite, who on Monday named his first squad since succeeding Dunga as head coach, feels the 24-year-old is equipped to continue in the position but is also prepared to look at alternative figureheads.
Seleka coach Leonardo Bacci already announced The 2018 World Cup qualifiers squad against Colombia and Ecuador including Neymar. He has selected Gabriel Jesus, Taison, Rafael Carioca, Fagner and goalkeeper Weverton.
Tite was confirmed as Dunga’s successor as head coach after Brazil were eliminated at the group stage of the Copa America Centenario and he must lift them into the qualification places for Russian Federation 2018.
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The Selecao are sixth in the South American zone qualifying standings for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
