Neymar gets permission to stay in Brazil

Barcelona, Aug 23 (IANS) Barcelona striker Neymar will not rejoin his club on Wednesday as planned and will stay in Brazil to play two games with his national football team in the qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup.

Neymar has been called up for the qualifying matches Brazil will play against Ecuador on September 1 and against Colombia on September 6, reports Efe.

The striker was scheduled to return on Tuesday to the Catalan capital and rejoin training with the club before La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in San Mames.

However, Catalans coach Luis Enrique gave him permission to stay in his country until he finishes the Brazil training camp and rejoin training with Barcelona on September 8.

Neymar recently won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio with the Brazil national Olympic soccer team.