Brazil Coach Wants Neymar to Reverse Decision on Captaincy

Brazil coach Tite said he will try to convince ace forward Neymar to reverse his decision to quit as the national football team captain.

Neymar stood down as the Selecao's leader on Saturday after Brazil defeated Germany on penalties to win their first Olympic Games football gold medal in Rio.

"I said to Neymar that he should celebrate for now and worry about (the captaincy) later," Tite told a press conference on Monday.

Neymar did not explain his reason for renouncing the captaincy, though it is believed his strained relationship with Brazil's media played a major part.

During a pre-Olympics news conference at Brazil's Terespolis training base, Neymar tersely fended off claims that his celebrity lifestyle could be affecting his football.

The 24-year-old has barely appeared before the media since, speaking only when forced to do so, reports Xinhua.

"Being a leader involves many aspects," Tite said. "He (Neymar) is a leader on the pitch. There is also the aspect of talking in public. We will see."

Tite said the captaincy could be rotated between Neymar and other experienced players such as Inter Milan central defender Miranda and Juventus right-back Daniel Alves.