Santos accuses Brazil confederation of burning out Neymar

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-6-15 15:14:14

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has accused Brazil's football confederation of "burning out" star striker Neymar.

The 20-year-old cut a frustrated figure during Santos' 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in their Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg on Wednesday.

His lackluster performance followed four international matches for Brazil in two continents over 14 days.

Ribeiro said he would seek a meeting with Brazil's confederation president Jose Maria Marin to voice his concern.

"Neymar is exhausted," Ribeiro said. "There was no need to play him in those matches. Just like you don't test Lionel Messi, you don't need to test Neymar.

"To do that in the middle of important Copa Libertadores matches has burnt out the young man physically and psychologically."

Neymar, who late last year rejected overtures from Real Madrid and Barcelona by committing to Santos until 2014, has scored 27 goals from 26 matches for his club this season.

He denied suffering any ill effects from his hectic recent schedule following the Corinthians defeat.

"I'm feeling fine. It [the Corinthians game] was just one of those matches where things didn't go right. That's football," Neymar said.

Earlier this year Ribeiro called for an overhaul of Brazil's packed domestic football calendar, which features league or Cup matches during every month of the year.

Most major European leagues have at least a three-month break between seasons.



Posted in: Soccer

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