Barca coach Luis Enrique has granted Neymar extended leave in Brazil until after the worldwide break, and Pique believes he deserves his extra holiday after leading his country to victory on home soil.
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Neymar faces World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia, and his club boss has seemingly decided that Neymar’s time would not be best spent returning to Spain only to fly out to South America again immediately after.
Neymar played a huge role in Brazil’s triumph at the Olympics, scoring a world-class free-kick against Germany in the final, as well as the winning penalty in the shootout that followed.
The former Santos star had replaced Thiago Silva as the national team’s permanent on-field leader in September 2014.
Neymar Jr. also recently relinquished his captain duties for Brazil.
The man who was criticised harshly after Brazil drew their opening two games at the Olympics also hit back at those who had questioned his abilities.
The 24-year-old can be seen hurling abuse at the unknown person in the crowd.
Tite says that he is yet to decide whether to deploy Neymar in a wide or central attacking role though he is sure he can play in both.
“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”, Pique told Marca. He has selected Gabriel Jesus, Taison, Rafael Carioca, Fagner and goalkeeper Weverton.
Brazil plays Ecuador in Quito on September 1 and five days later it hosts Colombia in Manaus.
Brazil has nine points and is in sixth place in its qualifying group.
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The Selecao are now sixth in the South American zone qualifying standings for 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
