Football
ESPN staff 8y

Neymar stands down as Brazil captain after penalty clinches Olympic gold

Neymar has said that he will step down as Brazil captain after scoring the winning penalty in the 5-4 shootout victory over Germany that gave his country Olympic gold.

The Barcelona player was appointed as skipper by Dunga following the 2014 World Cup, in which hosts Brazil were demolished 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals -- a match Neymar missed through injury.

After his penalty earned Brazil a memorable triumph, securing the only international honour the country had yet to win, the 24-year-old told SporTV: "Today I have become a champion, and I give up the captain's armband.

"It was an honour to be captain, but from today I stop being captain. I will send a message to [senior coach] Tite that, from now, he can look for another captain."

Neymar, who has has won the Confederations Cup with Brazil and the Champions League with Barcelona, said: "I do not like to put one title above the other -- every competition I contest and win is important.

"Of course, it had great importance to Brazil and thank God we did it -- after a lot of struggling, work and concentration."

And he thanked his family, friends and colleague, adding: "No one wins alone."

Neymar had scored a free kick to give Brazil the lead in the gold medal match, which ended 1-1 after extra time.

"I can't begin to describe them [my feelings]," he said. "I have fulfilled my dream, and to have fulfilled it in my home country makes me very proud."

Brazil goalkeeper Weverton, who made the crucial shootout save from Nils Petersen, praised Neymar and said: "I told Neymar that God had given him a second chance. God loves Neymar like he loves all this team."

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