Rio 2016: Neymar steps down after golden feat

Brazil captain Neymar celebrates scoring the winning penalty in the men’s football final in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Barcelona star Neymar said he will step down as Brazil captain after leading the Olympic Games’ hosts to their first ever football gold medal.

“Today I have been proclaimed a champion and I hand over the armband as captain,” Neymar told SporTV after scoring the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout win over Germany on Saturday.

“I was something I received with honour and love. It was an honour to be captain, but from today I am no longer captain,” he said.

New coach of the Brazil senior side Tite will take charge of his first game in charge against Ecuador in World Cup 2018 qualifying on September 1 after Dunga was sacked following Brazil’s group stage exit from the Copa America.

“I send the message to Tite that from now he can look for another captain,” added Neymar.

Neymar captained the mainly under-23 side during the Games and Brazil’s Olympic coach Rogerio Micale described his decision to step down as noble.

“I decided I wanted him to be captain, he was the best person to be captain for the team. It was a noble gesture on Neymar’s part to let Tite decide who will be the captain,” he said. “It demonstrates maturity.”