Brazil’s technical coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi has rejected suggestions the Seleção are “obliged” to win Copa América 2015, but reminded the players they do have an obligation to compete for the title.
The Canarinho have friendlies lined up against Mexico and Honduras this week – providing their first appearances on home soil since last year’s World Cup – in what will be their final warm-up matches before the tournament in Chile.
Brazil are desperate to bounce back from last year’s World Cup disappointment and Rinaldi has called for the players to channel their pressure into positive performances on the field.
“We don’t have an obligation to win the Copa América but we do have an obligation to do our best and compete,” he said in a press conference at the Granja Comary training complex in Teresópolis.
“The players who wear the shirt are well aware that along with it comes the pressure to win. If a player makes it to the national team it is because he is prepared to deal with that pressure and channel it into positive energy.
“We are telling the players that pressure will come, but that they must know how to deal with it.”
The 1994 World Cup-winner went on to compare current Seleção captain Neymar to some of the game’s greats when asked about his attempted rainbow flick over an Athletic Bilbao defender in last week’s Copa del Rey final for Barcelona.
“We all know what he can do and what he can create. It’s his natural talent. We all talk about it but only focus on what he can do to help the national team,” Rinaldi added.
“His skills – like the one we saw from Messi, Maradona, or Pelé – they just can’t be explained. They do such fantastic things that are beyond explanation.”
Brazil, who have been drawn in Group C alongside Colombia, Peru and Venezuela get their Copa América campaign underway against Ricardo Gareca’s side on June 14 in Temuco.
Bron: ca2015.com
