Brazil’s Olympic coach has said that he was relying on Barcelona forward Neymar to shoot the hosts to a first Games gold in Rio next month.
Rogerio Micale, the current under-20s coach, has been charged with rejuvenating Brazilian football in Rio after former manager Dunga was fired following Brazil’s shock first-round exit from the Copa America.
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“I want to be dependent on Neymar,” he said, as the squad went through its first training session for the Rio Games.
“What coach in the world would not want a Neymar in his team? They say it’s not good to be dependent on Neymar, but I do not agree: I would always have a Neymar in my team.”
Micale’s stance is in stark contrast Dunga, who had tried to suggest the Brazilian side was not a one-man team.
The Olympic Games start on August 5. Former Al Ain and Al Wahda manager Tite will take over Brazil after the Olympics.
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