‘Copa America sacrifice worth it’ insists Neymar

Brazil captain Neymar says that sitting out of the Copa América in June will be worth it if it means helping his country to Olympic gold in Rio in August. Dunga wanted his talisman for both tournaments, but his club Barcelona insisted that he could only play in one.   With the Seleção having never […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-05-17 20:05:00

Brazil captain Neymar says that sitting out of the Copa América in June will be worth it if it means helping his country to Olympic gold in Rio in August. Dunga wanted his talisman for both tournaments, but his club Barcelona insisted that he could only play in one.

 

With the Seleção having never won the Olympic gold for football, they prioritised the Olympics on home soil and the captain says missing Copa América Centenário will be a worthwhile sacrifice for Olympic gold, “I am ready to take responsibility,” he told Globo, “Not only Brazilians that want this medal, but they know nobody wants it more than I do.”

 

“I was not frustrated, because I will play a tournament my country has yet to win, and in Brazil,” he said. “Of course I wanted to compete in both competitions, but I understand the desire of my club and I respected the agreement that everyone came to.”

 

Neymar won his second La Liga title in two years with Barcelona this season, scoring 24 goals during the campaign.