Football
Adriana Garcia 5y

Neymar can be back at his best for Copa America - Brazil boss Tite

Brazil coach Tite has said captain Neymar can arrive at the Copa America in June back in top form after returning to action following a long injury layoff.

Neymar played 45 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win over Monaco on Sunday, his first game since suffering a foot injury in January.

"He has already come back and we are going to hope for his rapid return [to form]," Tite told reporters. "It's a process of normal progress."

Tite said Neymar's situation was not the same as that of last year, when he returned to action for Brazil in an international friendly against Croatia just two weeks before the start of the World Cup.

"Now there is a big difference -- there is more time before the start of the Copa America, and consequently that allows for a better recovery in order to reach a higher technical level, too," Tite said.

"He could be in better condition at the Copa America than he was in the World Cup."

Despite his injury, Neymar has scored 13 goals and set up six more in 14 league games for Ligue 1 champions PSG this season.

Meanwhile, Tite has not ruled Real Madrid teenager Vinicius Junior, who suffered an ankle ligament injury last month, out of the Copa America.

Vinicius has recovered two weeks ahead of schedule and is expected to return to action in Thursday's league game at Getafe.

"The Brazil Football Confederation has provided us with the means to monitor not only Vinicius but other players," Tite said.

"It's important not only to attend their games but also their training sessions. We will do so."

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