Neymar called up for Brazil duty amid club transfer speculations

Rio de Janeiro: Neymar was included on Friday in Brazil’s squad for friendlies against Colombia and Peru next month amid speculation of a departure from Paris Saint-Germain and a return to La Liga.

Coach Tite’s announcement comes as former captain Neymar appears set to leave the French outfit and head back to Spain before the end of the transfer window on Sept.2, either with his former side Barcelona or Real Madrid.

The world’s most expensive player has been plagued by an ankle injury that ruled him out of last month’s Copa America success.

Authorities in Brazil also recently dropped an investigation into rape allegations against the forward due to insufficient evidence, accusations which he had vehemently denied.

Tite said he had spoken to Neymar, who “said he was happy”, but he acknowledged that he was not doing “tactical work.”

“I will not abandon an athlete of Neymar’s level and quality,” Tite said, explaining he wanted to give him “playing time.”

Brazil will face Colombia on Sept.6 in Miami and Peru — who they beat in the Copa America final — on Sept.10 in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, PSG’s sporting director Leonardo has quashed rumors surrounding Neymar’s foot injury and the Brazilian’s future at the club.

“Neymar’s injury is completely fixed,” Leonardo told French radio station RMC on Thursday. “He is controlled by the world’s leading doctors and surgeons and the fracture to his fifth metatarsal has healed.”

Leonardo was speaking after French daily newspaper Le Parisien reported that Neymar’s fifth metatarsal remains at risk of injury.

Neymar took no part in in PSG’s Ligue 1 opener on Sunday which saw Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria all score in a 3-0 victory over Nimes.

During the match at the Parc de Princes, some fans unfurled disparaging banners directed at the Brazilian, who during the summer months has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the French champion.

Agencies