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May 28 (UPI) -- The Brazil men's national soccer team has a new captain ahead of the 2019 Copa America tournament. Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar had been the captain of the team. The Brazilian Football Confederation named teammate Dani Alves as his replacement.
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Brazil's coach, Tite, informed Neymar of the decision on Saturday. He told Alves he was captain on Sunday.
The Copa America is from June 14 to July 7 in Brazil. Chile are the two-time defending champions of the tournament, winning in 2015 and 2016.
Brazil battles Bolivia in the group stage at 8:30 p.m. on June 14 at Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium in Sa Paulo, Brazil.
Alves has 138 appearances for Brazil, the most of any current player. He last took the captain's armband during a March 2018 win against Germany. Neymar has 57 goals in 90 appearances for Brazil.
Brazil has friendly matches against Qatar and Honduras before Copa America. Brazil and Qatar face off at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 in Brasilia, Brazil.
