Mario Zagallo feels it's time for Barcelona attacker Neymar to start acting like Brazil's leader both on and off the pitch
Barca striker must mature - Zagallo(Omni Sport)
Former Brazil coach Mario Zagallo believes Neymar must mature and has urged the Barcelona attacker to start behaving like the leader of the national team.
The 24-year-old hurt Brazil's chances at last year's Copa America
in Chile as he lost his cool in the group-stage defeat to Colombia,
resulting in a four-match suspension that ruled him out of the remainder
of the tournament.
Neymar also missed the World Cup qualifiers
against Chile and Venezuela due to the ban, only to then pick up two
bookings in Brazil's next three qualifiers, leading to another one-match
suspension.
Zagallo believes Neymar has the potential to
become one of the best players in the game, but is adamant the attacker
must behave more professional.
"I like Neymar a lot. He is an exceptional player and he's got everything it takes to go on even further," Zagallo told Extra.
"But he needs to develop an awareness that he's leading the Brazilian national team.
"He can't step out of line. He's not as mature as he should be."
Neymar was spotted in a nightclub after Brazil's
disappointing 2-2 qualification draw with Uruguay last month and Zagallo
feels he must improve his off-pitch antics, too.
"These are the sort of problems which we can't be having," Zagallo added.
"Even more so when you're a star player. Neymar has a reputation to maintain."
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