Copa America: Dani Alves to replace Neymar as Brazil captain

Brazil face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in the group stage, which starts on June 14

Neymar under fire after World Cup 'mea culpa' advert [File] Neymar's ad with Gillette has hurt his image as much as his antics did in Russia | AFP

Dani Alves will replace Neymar as the captain of the Brazilian national team in the Copa America, the country's football federation (CBF) announced on Monday.

"The decision was communicated to Neymar by (coach) Tite on Saturday," CBF said in a statement about the striker, who was handed a three-match suspension for lashing out at a spectator following Paris Saint-Germain's shock defeat by Rennes in the French Cup final earlier this month.

Eight-time winners Brazil face Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru in the group stage, which starts on June 14, after two friendlies against Qatar and Honduras.

Neymar, 27, missed the humiliating 7-1 World Cup semifinal defeat by Germany in 2014 due to injury after fracturing his back in the previous round.

A year earlier, he was named player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup as Brazil won the competition for a record fourth time.

Right-back Alves, who has 138 caps for Brazil, has captained his country on four previous occasions, the last of which was a 1-0 friendly victory over Germany in 2018.

Brazil coach Tite had named Neymar permanent captain a few months after Brazil's World Cup quarterfinal 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 also reportedly involved in a dressing fracas with his PSG teammates.

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