Neymar can quit Brazil, warns head coach Rogerio Micale

The Barcelona striker had to face criticism for his performances at the tournament this summer. Brazilian team had to succumb to draws by Iraq and South Africa.

Neymar can quit Brazil, warns head coach Rogerio Micale

Nation’s Olympic head coach Rogerio Micale has warned a lack of respect would prove to be fatal. It could lead captain Neymar to quit even the full national side.

The Barcelona striker, 24, is skipper of the senior Brazil team as well as the one for the Olympics. Also, he has faced intense criticism from fans and national media alike over his recent performances.

Neymar has been under speculation for not taking a more active role as one of the team’s more senior players both on and off the field. He has also refused to speak to the press following the Iraq game.

Meanwhile, he was jeered during the match and fans also chanted the name of Marta, the Women’s captain. She has in contrast has been at the tournament.

Micale, however, insisted that people must ease the pressure on such a forward destined for greatness. He told reporters: “Marta and Neymar are two great Brazilian players. Neymar will one day become the best player in the world and we need to respect him. If we don’t respect our best players they might not want to be with us anymore.”

He added: “Neymar is just 24 and hasn’t fully matured. Generally, a player reaches his peak at 28, both physically and mentally, and he has had to deal with the pressure of being a leader since he was 17.”

Neymar signed for Barca form Santos in 2013. It would would become one of the most protracted transfer controversies in history. He has since gone on to score 85 goals in 141 games in all sorts of competitions.

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