Neymar Wanted by Brazil for 2016 Rio Olympics over Copa America, Says Dunga

Brazil coach Dunga has said he would rather Neymar played for the Selecao in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro than in the Copa America, which will take place in the USA in June.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Dunga told Brazilian television station Esporte Interativo: "If I have to choose between Copa America and the Olympics, I prefer to see [Neymar] in the Olympics."

Further, he noted "the importance of the gold medal for Brazil."

The Barcelona star could be one of three over-23s selected for Brazil's squad at the Olympics. As the Olympics will take place in August during the start of Spain's football season, the 24-year-old requires the Blaugrana's dispensation to play.

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The Selecao have not yet won a gold medal for football at the Olympics—"the only significant tournament Brazil have not won" according to AP—and so Dunga appears to have made it his priority over the Copa America, which they have lifted eight times.

Per ESPN, Neymar himself has expressed his desire to play in both tournaments, which is understandable as he is the captain of the senior side and Rio hosting the Olympics represents an excellent chance to win a title on home soil.

However, in order to ensure he has time to recover after a gruelling season and sufficiently prepare for the next one, AP reports Barca will probably "ask him to participate in only one."

BBC Sport's Tim Vickery believes the Brazilian FA will not interfere with the decision as to which Neymar plays in:

Indeed, per AP, Gilmar Rinaldi—an overseer of the national team for their FA—said Barcelona will have a large say in the matter: "It will be up to them to decide what to do. We will talk to the player and to Barcelona coach [Luis Enrique] to see what they have in mind."

Vickery is also eagerly anticipating the effect sponsors of the Copa America might have on their squads with the tournament celebrating its centenary this year:

Neymar's team-mate Lionel Messi has already confirmed he will be taking part in the Copa Centenario with Argentina rather than taking up a senior slot at the Olympics, having already won gold with La Albiceleste in 2008.

Since they won't stand to lose both players, the Catalan giants will likely permit the Brazilian to take part in Rio, but any reluctance they have in Neymar playing in both competitions would be understandable.