Brazil wants Neymar to play at Rose Bowl and Rio Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s football confederation has told Spanish club Barcelona that it wants to have star striker Neymar available for both the Copa America Centenario in June and the Rio Olympics in August.

If Neymar were to play with Brazil at the Copa America, local soccer fans would be able to watch him at the Rose Bowl on June 4 when Brazil takes on Ecuador.

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Earlier on Friday, Barcelona’s chairman Josep Maria Bartolomeu sent a letter to the CBF saying the club would release Neymar for only one of those touaments.

In a statement the CBF said it would make “every possible effort to count on Neymar Jr. at the Copa America and at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

The Barcelona star has already said he wishes to play for Brazil in both touaments.

“We count on his efforts with the club,” the CBF said.

Brazil has never won gold in Olympic football, and the Copa America is key for Brazil coach Dunga’s future.

SCNG staff contributed to this report

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