Sao Paulo: Star forward Neymar's injury absence changes nothing for Brazil at the Copa America, midfielder Casemiro said on Thursday, insisting that the hosts must triumph come what may. Neymar will miss the South American showpiece after injuring ankle ligaments last week in the Selecao's penultimate warm-up friendly. His injury came as the Paris Saint-Germain forward faced accusations from a Brazilian model that he sexually assaulted her in a hotel in the French capital.
"Regardless of the competition we're in, Brazil are favourites and must win," Casemiro said ahead of tournament opener against Bolivia in Sao Paulo. "Without a doubt, even without Neymar, Brazil's main star, we're still very strong," the Real Madrid player added. Brazil are aiming for a ninth Copa America success and have claimed victory on all four previous occasions as hosts: in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989.
But they haven't lifted the trophy since 2007 when winning for a fourth time in five editions from 1997. "We cannot hide from that responsibility," said coach Tite. "We know that we have to build step by step for the title." And while he admitted that it was a blow to be missing "one of the best three in the world," he said that the squad is not thinking about Neymar's absence.
- Agence France Presse
