Time to relieve Neymar of Brazil captaincy: Carlos Alberto

Rio de Janeiro, June 22: Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning captain Carlos Alberto has urged new national coach Tite to relieve Neymar of the captaincy.

Full schedule of Copa America

(Barcelona set to renew Neymar's contract, Dani Alves leaving)

Neymar, who missed the Copa America after Barcelona refused to release him for the tournament in the US, has been criticized for his recent international performances, which have been marked by ill-discipline and a lack of goals.

The 24-year-old was replaced as captain during the continental tournament by Inter Milan center-back Miranda.

"It would be better to let him play and free him from the responsibility of leading the group," Alberto said. "Leave him free to just think about playing football. He would do more for the team than he has done. I would leave Miranda as captain."

Alberto added that the captain should be decided by both the national coach and Brazil's football confederation.

IANS