President of Serie A club defends Neymar and criticizes the Brazilian team in the Copa América

A guest on CNN Esportes S/A this Sunday, Adson Batista, president of Atlético-GO, criticized the Brazilian national team players in the Copa América. According to the director, some athletes “belittle themselves” in Brazil, and he also mentioned that “they seem to be doing a favor.”

There are a lot of very high-quality players who do exceptional work for their clubs, but when they get to the national team they feel diminished, because it seems like they are doing them a favor, right? It seems like playing for the national team today is a sacrifice. So we have to recover all of that.

Adson Batista, President of Atlético-GO

The Brazilian national team was eliminated by Uruguay in the quarterfinals on penalties. Brazil played with one more player for most of the time. Even so, they were eliminated.

“I think the Brazilian National Team needs to recover the self-esteem of Brazilian fans. It needs to bring Brazilian fans closer, and it needs to work very hard within the CBF. In fact, Rodrigo Caetano is very capable, he has the ability to do this and he is an excellent professional.”

Neymar

Brazil’s biggest name in recent years, Neymar was unable to participate in the Copa América as he is still recovering from an ankle injury. According to Adson, the star is still “the man” for the national team.

[By the way, I’ve always seen Neymar as a pleasure to play for the national team, he has to enjoy playing for the national team. Football is the essence of his life, I really like it technically.”] Maybe, but he’s injured. He has to be motivated, he’s a billionaire, we need to see if he has this pleasure, if he wants it, because there’s no point in having talent […] by the way, I’ve always seen Neymar as a pleasure to play for the national team, he has to enjoy playing for the national team. Football is the essence of his life, I really like it technically.

”Adson

CNN Sports Inc.

With the presence of Adson Batista,  CNN Esportes S/A  reaches its 56th edition. Presented by João Vitor Xavier, the program covers the behind-the-scenes of a market that generates billions and is one of the most lucrative in the world: sports.

On the agenda, the hottest topics in the football industry, from an economic and business perspective.