Neymar Shouldn't Be Brazil Captain, Claims Legend Cafu

Legendary Brazilian full-back Cafu believes Neymar isn't a "born leader" and suggests the Barcelona forward shouldn't be the national team's captain.  

Speaking to Sport TV (h/t Football Espana), Cafu made it clear he isn't trying to denounce the 23-year-old forward but rather let him focus on doing what he does best:

"

His personality is designed to play football and enjoy himself with the ball. He is not a born leader. Neymar should be left to play football. This is not a criticism of Neymar, lots of other huge stars have not been captains.

Neymar is our focal point, our idol, our playmaker. In the last ten years I haven’t seen a player like him, his technical abilities are undeniable.

"

LUCA BRUNO/Associated Press

Neymar was handed the armband after suffering disaster at last summer's World Cup. His tournament was ended at the quarter-final stage when Colombian defender Juan Zuniga broke a vertebrae in Neymar's back with a flying knee, per Daniel Taylor of the Guardian.

He was absent for the following 7-1 semi-final loss against Germany, but he received the captaincy under head coach Dunga, who replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in the hot seat.

"The captain is an example for all of his teammates overall. We have to have a strong group so that Neymar can grow more each day, as a player, as a person, being an example to children," Dunga said in September, as reported by ESPN FC.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

However, the youngster's suitability for the leadership role was scrutinised at the 2015 Copa America. Neymar was sent off in another heated encounter with Colombia, which saw him deliberately kick the ball at an opponent before trying to head-butt goalscorer Jeison Murillo after the final whistle.

He was banned for the rest of the competition which saw Brazil knocked out by Paraguay at the quarter-final stage. Although Neymar performed admirably in the opening 2-1 win over Peru—scoring the first and assisting on the second—he let his emotions spill over.

Forbes contributor Bobby McMahon discussed how Neymar's obvious irritation affected his team-mates at the time: "Neymar's level of frustration showed no sign of dissipating as the game progressed and as the match entered the last few minutes Neymar's attitude appeared to spread to others with several bumps, nudges and sly kicks happening off the ball."

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Gilmar Rinaldi, the Brazilian national team's technical coordinator, also suggested Neymar acted against his advice and approached the referee after being dismissed.

"I told him to be careful because he is responsible for his own actions," Gilmar said, as reported by L'Equipe (h/t Tony Mahoney of Goal.com). "Neymar told me it was fair for him to talk to the referee, but I told him that it wasn’t the right time. But this is a learning process."

Neymar's ban was extended due to his decision to confront the official, per Mahoney.

The forward also had a handful of disciplinary problems at Barcelona last season. He has been seen to gesture toward the opposition in an attempt to wind them up, an action which suggests he has plenty of learning to do; however, Gilmar thinks he will develop into a "great captain," as reported by Mahoney.

CARLO FUMAGALLI/Associated Press

Neymar is a showman and someone who loves to entertain. Enormous pressure has been placed on him at such a young age, and he is constantly expected to deliver results for Brazil. Many would pick an experienced player, such as Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva, as the Selecao's captain, but there's no denying Neymar is the country's iconic footballer of the moment.

Both Cafu and Dunga know what it takes to lead Brazil to success. They were captains during the 2002 and the 1994 World Cup successes, respectively. However, neither had their performances scrutinised in the way Neymar has experienced since he moved to Europe.

The starlet undoubtedly needs to refrain from becoming annoyed and should focus his energy on talking to his team-mates. But this should come in time. Brazil potentially have their captain for the next decade, a decision which could pay off when Neymar matures into a more emotionally responsible leader.