Neymar gets FC Barcelona go-ahead for Rio Olympics, not Copa America

New Delhi: Brazilian superstar Neymar was on Friday given the go-ahead to play at the Rio 2016 Olympics this year by his club Barcelona.

This comes as a good news for Neymar, who won the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics in London with the national team. This time it will give him a chance to win the best prize in his home nation.

Meanwhile, reports suggested that the forward was ordered not to take part in the Copa America.

The loss of him at the Copa would be difficult for Brazil coach Dunga, who had been hoping to have the influential striker at both tournaments -- the Copa in the United States from June 3-26 and the Rio Olympics football tournament which runs from August 4-20.

Reports suggest that in a letter sent to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), and seen by Globoesporte and Mundo Deportivo, European champions Barcelona insist that Neymar needs to have adequate rest over the summer before the start of the next domestic season.

The CBF refused to confirm that they had received such a request from the Spanish giants.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Neymar has come up with a solution, that he will sit out the group phase at the Copa and only play from the quarter-finals stages before heading to the Olympics.

FIFA regulations demand that clubs release players for tournaments on the the international calendar A-list which includes the Copa but not the Olympics which does not figure on the global body`s international schedule.

Neymar, who is 24, would be one of the three players over the age of 23 who are allowed to feature in an Olympic football squad.

(With Agencies inputs)