The Selecao boss has admitted a talismanic figure adds a special dimension to his lineup while discussing the burden of responsibility he bears.
Neymar is an”essential” member of this present Brazil squad, but he’s not”irreplaceable”, based on Tite.
At age 28, Neymar has already gathered an impressive 101 caps for his country, while climbing to third in the Selecao’s all-time high scorers list on 61 goals, behind Pele and Ronaldo.
The Paris Saint-Germain celebrity has played in two World Cups for Brazil, helping them reach the semi-finals in 2014 and the final eight in 2018, but he’s only ever won one trophy at a global level – the 2013 Confederations Cup.
He missed the opportunity to double his haul last summer after suffering an ankle injury that ruled him out of the Copa America, as Brazil stormed into a first continental title in 12 years in his absence.
Neymar has put that disappointment behind him to play an integral role in PSG’s most recent bid for glory on both domestic and European fronts.
The mercurial attacker was heavily linked with a return to Barcelona during his time in Parc des Princes while expressing regret over his world-record move from Camp Nou in 2017.
However, he’s appeared fully focused on his responsibilities in the French capital this year, contributing 18 goals in 22 appearances across all contests.
Neymar was on track to return to the Brazil squad for the 2020 Copa America, but the tournament has now been pushed back a year as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
Tite is eager to point out that his staff have the ability to deal without their star performer but admits the world’s most expensive player brings”unpredictability” which increases the”collective” standards within the group.
“Neymar reassures you, since he brings unpredictability to your game” the Brazil head coach told France Football.
“Because he’ll provide you with an individual or collective solution which others can’t, and with him, the possibility of a team isn’t the same, since he will glow. The Neymar I’m speaking of is the person who was within full physical and mental capacities.
“Neymar is essential but not irreplaceable.”
Tite has been in control of Brazil since 2016, and boasts an impressive 70% win rate from his 48 games on the touchline, but he faced plenty of criticism following his side’s final eight exit at the hands of Belgium in the World Cup at Russia a couple of decades back.
The Copa America triumph helped compensate for that failure, together with the 58-year-old adding about the pressure he faces while leading the world’s most successful global side: “The position has become very vulnerable, the duty is immense and each coach is faced with the same challenge.”
