Santos boss Muricy Ramalho has insisted that the Brazilian national team must co-operate when it comes to protecting star player Neymar.
Neymar, 20, was jeered from the pitch as Brazil laboured to victory over South Africa and has been suffering from tonsilitis, as the weight of games played over the past 18 months begins to take its toll.
Muricy believes that, for a start, Brazil need not call-up the much-discussed forward for the Superclassico das Americas against Argentina later this month.
“For those games against Argentina, in which only those playing in Brazil will appear, there is no need for him to go," Muricy told Globo Esporte. “If you ask Neymar"s opinion, he will play. He doesn"t miss training, yet alone a match!"
The Santos manager would like to see more willingness to consider the player"s welfare and believes Neymar"s poor showing on Friday was as a direct consequence of the strain on his body and mind.
“Sometimes they should co-operate. Everyone knows Neymar, he doesn"t need to be tested," Muricy added.
“Before the Seleção game he didn"t play [against Sport Recife]. He was ill and Santos needed the player, but we left him out and he went to the Seleção. Mano said Neymar was not good. He took him off because he was worn out.
“We need to have a plan because we are wearing him out, not only physically. We are also damaging the confidence of the country"s best player."
