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The 24-year-old is desperate to lead the Selecao's quest for gold at the Rio Olympics in August and may not be able to compete in both competitions. Brazil coach Dunga admits he remains unsure as to whether he will be able to take captain Neymar to this year’s Copa America.
The centennial tournament will be held in the United States throughout June, ending just weeks prior to the start of the Rio Olympics - a tournament Neymar is desperate to compete in as one of the Selecao’s three permitted over-age players.
Club teams are obligated by Fifa to release their players for Copa America but not for the Olympics and Dunga says he intends to speak to Neymar’s club, Barcelona, ahead of naming his squad for either competition.
"We have not even talked with [Barca coach] Luis Enrique," Dunga said on Sunday.
“Our intention is to talk to the clubs and find the best solution that will not hurt anyone. "We have to speak personally to the player and find a good solution for everyone." Last week Luis Enrique admitted he cannot confirm whether the club will release Neymar for the Olympics, stressing the importance of not making “excessive demands” of the player.
Conmebol nations are seemingly taking this year’s Copa with varying levels of seriousness, with the likes of Paraguay suggesting they will take a squad made up of youngsters, and local reports suggest Neymar may elect to sit out of the tournament in order to lead Brazil in the quest for their first Gold medal.
Brazil have drawn Ecuador, Haiti and Peru in Copa America Group B and open the tournament against on June 4 Ecuador, who currently top the South America World Cup qualification table.
"We must be careful with Ecuador," Dunga said. "They play a modern system that combines a lot of strength, technique and speed."
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