Santiago, June 23 (IANS) Brazilian football team captain and star player Neymar left the squad here to fly back to Sao Paulo after being suspended for four matches.
The decision to leave Chile, where the team is competing in Copa America, came after Brazil decided not to contest the penalties imposed for Neymar’s unsportsmanlike behaviour on the field during the team’s 0-1 loss to Colombia, reports Xinhua.
“Staying here just to train is killing me. I ask my fellow teammates to forgive me for letting things get to this situation but I’m sure that it has been another lesson in my career,” Neymar said on Monday, adding he now wanted to be with his family.
Neymar left with a prize for best player in the team’s debut against Peru (2-1) in which he scored one goal and assisted in the other. Brazil qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament and stay on to train for Saturday’s last eight match against Paraguay.