Here comes the Leader: As Neymar is made Brazil captain

Neymar has been confirmed as the new Brazil captain.

Brazil coach Dunga said Barcelona star Neymar would be taking the armband from Thiago Silva but insisted he expected his players to show leadership throughout the team.

Neymar is still just 22 but has already made over 50 appearances for the five-time world champions.

"He is a reference point for Brazilian football," Dunga said at a news conference on Thursday. "He has great quality and, despite his age, he is experienced.

"The captain is an example for all of his teammates overall. We have to have a strong group so that Neymar can grow more each day, as a player, as a person, being an example to children."

On the need for leadership throughout the side, he added: "Whenever we have been champions, we had that. We need more players with this quality on the pitch."

He said he had spoken to Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva about the decision and stressed that Brazil would be starting a new "cycle" but added: "As I said before, we need more leaders. A player not having the armband does not make them less of a leader."