Neymar left Brazil's training base in Santiago de Chile on Monday afternoon after the Brazilian Football Federation elected not to contest the ban imposed on the country's captain for a fracas after the Canarinho's 1-0 loss to Colombia last week.
Neymar took the decision to leave after conferring with national team coach Dunga, so as not to shift focus away from the task at hand on the pitch. Under the terms of the sanction Neymar was permitted to train with his teammates but not to play. The player released a statement on Monday afternoon.
"I waited with hope and faith until this point that I may yet be allowed to continue to participate in the Copa América. Unfortunately, this will not be possible. I know that my presence with the squad is important, as is that of all of the other players, who now more than ever must remain totally focused on the games that are ahead. I have never shied away from being one of the leaders within the group and as the captain I have always sought to win. Independently of wherever I will be from here, I will always be there with the national team and desiring success for my teammates. But staying here just to train kills me inside. There's no joy. It's very sad to train and prepare for something... I needed to express these feelings to the squad and to the technical staff, who have always been by my side. If I stay, maybe it will alter the atmosphere of the group. I ask my teammates for forgiveness but I am sure I will come out of this with a lesson for my career. Good luck, Brazil."
Follow the Copa América timetable here.
And the day-to-day fixtures here.