One of the world’s biggest stars will not be playing in this summer’s Copa America Centenario, if Barcelona has the final word.
The Spanish club wants Brazilian star Neymar to play for his nation during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but is vetoing his participation in the Copa America tournament in the U.S.
“Convincing Barca (to allow Neymar to play) for both (tournaments) is impossible. We are aware of the importance, but our view is that players need to have the rest coming from two strong seasons,” Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told reporters on Saturday.
Barcelona’s intentions have reportedly already been conveyed to Brazil national team head coach Dunga. However, the Copa America competition is an official FIFA event, meaning Barcelona would be forced into releasing Neymar should Dunga forgo the club’s intentions and include him in his squad to compete in the tournament.
Neymar finished third in the voting for the most recent FIFA Ballon d’Or award, and has scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists for Barcelona during the 2015-16 La Liga campaign.
What do you think of this development? Will you be disappointed if Neymar misses this summer’s Copa America?
Share your thoughts below.
Isn’t that accurate though? This is NOT the regular Copa America. This is an extra one that was added to celebrate the 100th anniversary, but the winner doesn’t’ qualify for Confed Cup. It’s undoubtedly a great chance to play against top teams, but it is NOT the real Copa American tournament. That already happened for this cycle.
Incorrect. It is a real and improved Copa America. It is called the Copa America Centennial. You are correct that this tournament doesn’t give you a Confederations Cup birth, and you are correct that a Copa America just took place last year, and you are correct that this is an extra one that was added to celebrate the 100th anniversary; but then the leap you are taking to say it is not a “real Copa” is incorrect.
It is improved because it will be 16 teams instead of 12, and involves both American continents and confederations. Anyways, I don’t see the point in even arguing whether it is a “real Copa America” or not. Call the tournament whatever you want, but it is still a legitimate tournament against top teams. Besides the World Cups it has qualified for, this tournament arguably has the most talent and best teams than any other tournament the USMNT has ever played in. You tell me, how would you compare this tournament with the 2009 Confederations Cup?
All good points…and I missed the earlier debate. Not suggesting it’s not a “real” tournament, as it is certainly “real”. It will be interesting to see the rosters that ultimately make the trip. Then we can decide whether it is the most talent and best teams the USMNT has ever faced.
True. We need to see the rosters first.
Isn’t that accurate though? This is NOT the regular Copa America. This is an extra one that was added to celebrate the 100th anniversary, but the winner doesn’t’ qualify for Confed Cup.
Had it right the first time. There’s no tangible value to this tournament other than the fanfare and celebration.
You know, kind of like a friendly…(i.e. Not the World Cup).
There are very, very BIG problems with the RIO Olympics, while the Zika virus is now forcing many federations in all sports to reconsider sending athletes to the games, the fact that there are many venues being built for the Olympics that are seriously behind schedule, with several that are forcing the organizers to make alternative plans in other countries to hold those sports events there.
The IOC has quietly been in contact with the USOC and Canadian OC for the last two months, and while the Olympics may not be cancelled or moved, it looks highly likely that contingency plans to host events outside of Brazil are being made.
The fact that Barcelona has ZERO authority over Dunga and the Brazilian Football federation should also be noted. Zunga has never acquiesced to Club demands, although he does take them into consideration. The big factor here is that Neymar want and has said publicly that he wants to come and to play in the Centenario in the US!
Olympics have tangible value and the Copa Centenario are glorified friendlies. Hence, Dunga and Barcelona want the same thing: Neymar to only play in the Olympics.
Old School, you never stop making a fool of yourself do you?
1. First you ask me above to provide links of you discrediting the Copa, but then you say it right here, “Olympics have tangible value and the Copa Centenario are glorified friendlies”. So what were you requesting the links for? As i said, “fake tournament, cash grab with no value, glorified friendlies, etc” all are different ways of saying the same thing.
2. You said Dunga “only wants Neymar to play in the Olympics” when there have been a bunch of articles and TV interviews of Dunga saying himself that he wants Neymar to play in both! Old School doing what he does best, be wrong.
3. So the age restricted youth tournament has “tangible value” but the A-level senior tournament against some of the best teams in the world has no tangible value and are just glorified friendlies. Umm OK. Why don’t you finally answer the question I keep asking you? Explain to me your concept of “tangible value” when it comes to soccer tournaments.
UCLA, ignore him. you will only be sucked in. Btw, I am Brazilian with a cousin and 2 friends in Rio. No one is really concerned that much about Zika according to them
He said “before anyone STARTS saying it,” with no reference to the past.
You might want to get that straight before laying on the petulance.
Completely understandable you have no idea of what the context is.
His post is a direct reference to the gestation of a previous conversation that was discussed/debated about this very topic just days ago (hence I’m requesting he provide facts instead of recreate facts).
Sidenote: If you’re going to split hairs, he didn’t say before anyone he said: “Before some of you start…” which is a passive aggressive way of calling out the very people he engaged in said discussion with.
I thought he was referring to the Olympics as the fake tournament…
I thought he was referring to the Olympics as the fake tournament…
If he owns up and provides the link it’s quite clear what he’s referring to. Instead, he’s embarrassed and is trying to deflect by hiding behind Clyde Frog’s comment. It’s really quite simple for him to provide the link, but his avoidance says a lot.
Too bad, but I’m not surprised. For those wondering, the Copa is an official FIFA event so technically Brazil doesn’t need Barcelona’s permission, but since they want Neymar at the Olympics also then that gives Barcelona leverage. The Olympics is considered a youth event and clubs aren’t required to release for that.
Before some of you start the whole “see this is a fake tournament blah blah” ignorance, remember this is only unique to Brazil. The Olympics are being held in Brazil and the Olympics is the only tournament Brazil has yet to win. So Brazil values these specific Olympics way more than any other nation. All other countries will prioritize the Copa.
all good points, thankts
Who said the Copa is a fake tournament? Provide a link to anyone that said those exact words since those are the words you chose to use. In my experience, when people need to resort to embellishment, exaggeration or disingenuous representation they’re usually admitting defeat.
Tip: In case you’re struggling to find the link, it’s within the same link someone literally compared the Copa Centenario to the World Cup (if that rings a bell).
Old School, looks like I really got under your skin. I’m not surprised, for you this comment section is all about “winning” or “losing” an argument, and your constant losses probably leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
Clyde Frog is right, petulance is the perfect word to describe your behavior, and no my comment was not in direct response to any previous conversation of ours, if it was I would have named you by name. Get over yourself. What exactly was I “exagerating and being disengenious” about? Read my comment over again. You aren’t the brightest are you? But just to play along with you since you obviously need the attention: fake tournament, cash grab with no value, glorified friendlies, etc; all basically the same thing. Some of which are descriptions that have been used by you and some others, mainly the JK fanclub. I’m guessing the thought process is- the team is probably going to do bad, so let’s start softening the blow by diminishing the importance or credibility of this tournament. That’s lame.
Not surprising you have yet to link the post I’m referencing because it invalidates your entire argument (and also shows the obvious embarrassment of you comparing the Copa Centenario to the World Cup).
“Owned”?
Still avoiding linking the thread. Too funny. Many won’t ever read this or care but you and I will both know you shrunk away from accountability.
Of course, you’ll probably just be a broken record of trying to project you somehow “owned” a random person on the internet. Equally embarrassing each time you repeat it.