Football
ESPN staff 8y

Barcelona, Brazil confirm that Neymar will play only in Rio Games

Barcelona have announced that Neymar will play for Brazil in only the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and not the Copa America Centenario this summer.

The Catalan club made an agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation, who had been lobbying for Neymar to take part in the 2016 Copa in the United States in addition to the Olympics.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Barcelona announced that the winger would only head to Rio.

"Barcelona thanks the Brazilian Football Confederation and its president Marco Polo Del Nero, who accepted the proposal made to the club for the player Neymar Jr. only have to compete in the Olympic Games of 2016, which take place between Aug. 3-21.

"In this way, Neymar Jr. is released to play the Copa America, which will be played in the United States between June 3-26."

In a statement posted on its website, the Brazilian federation confirmed the accord.

"The Brazilian Football Federation confirms forward Neymar will only dispute the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio," the statement read. "CBF proposed alternatives to also have the player at the Copa America Centenario, but understood his club's reasons for not making him available. CBF thanks the player's efforts in trying to dispute both competitions."

Five-time World Cup champions Brazil have never won Olympic gold. It's the only major international honour missing from the Selecao's long list of conquests.

With Neymar on the field, Brazil were beaten 2-1 by Mexico in the gold-medal game of the 2012 London Games. 

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