Barcelona VP Jordi Mestre: ‘Someone must convince Neymar to refuse Copa America call-up’

Neymar has already signalled his intentions to compete for Brazil at the two tournaments, but Mestre believes it would be detrimental to both Barcelona and the forward.

"It’s his decision, but we’d like him to only play at the [Olympic] Games," Mestre told Mundo Deportivo.

"Someone has to convince him to play only one of the two. It’s not in either our or his best interests."

The Copa America Centenario runs from June 4-27, while the Olympic football programme is scheduled for August 3-20. The 2016-17 Liga season is expected to commence on August 27.

Uh oh, Neymar. The words "it’s his decision, but..." sound like the beginning of a stand-off. Of course, Barcelona have every right to hold this view – two tournaments is excessive, especially when your club pays you handsomely – but airing it in public? It creates needless tension.

If Neymar played in the Copa America, and skipped the Rio Games, he could still enjoy a short summer break before joining up with Barcelona for pre-season. Similarly, the 24-year-old could relax ahead of the Olympics if he spurned the Copa America, treating the Games as pre-season, then head straight to Camp Nou for the start of the domestic campaign.

But choosing between a centenary Copa America and a home Olympics is no easy task. Which is why, despite Mestre’s early protestations, Neymar could feasibly decide to play in both…