Neymar has been replaced as captain of the Brazil national team for next month’s Copa America by Paris Saint-Germain teammate Dani Alves, the country’s football federation (CBF) has said.
The Copa America will be played from 14 June to 7 July, with hosts Brazil, who have not won the title since 2007, taking on Bolivia in the opening match in Sao Paulo before facing Venezuela and Peru.
“Daniel Alves will be captain of the Brazilian national team in the friendly matches against Qatar and Honduras and in Copa America Brazil 2019,” the CBF said in a statement.
Brazil coach Tite had named Neymar permanent captain a few months after Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Belgium last year, but has been under pressure to replace the 27-year-old due to his disciplinary issues.
Neymar was banned for three matches by the French football authorities earlier this month for hitting a fan after PSG’s French Cup final loss to Stade Rennes, and was also reportedly involved in a dressing room fracas with his PSG teammates.
Tite informed him on Saturday that he would not captain Brazil at the Copa America, the CBF said.
