Neymar heading back to Barcelona after World Cup qualifiers
Posted August 22, 2016 7:00 am
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona says that Neymar won't rejoin the team until after he plays in Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
That means that Neymar will miss Sunday's Spanish league match at Athletic Bilbao.
Brazil plays Ecuador in Quito on Sept. 1 and five days later it hosts Colombia in Manaus.
On Saturday, Neymar scored the decisive penalty in a shootout to help Brazil beat Germany for its first Olympic gold medal in men's football.
Despite the striker's absence, Barcelona has won all three of its matches this season.
Brazil's Neymar celebrates with fans after the medal ceremony of the final match of the mens's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Aug. 20, 2016. Brazil won the gold medal on penalty shoot-out. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
The Associated Press
Brazil's Rafael Alcantara, center, turns around and celebrates his team's victory over Germany at the end of the final of the men's Olympic football tournament at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. Brazil won the match and the gold medal in a penalty shootout with Neymar scoring the deciding penalty. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
The Associated Press
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