Neymar would have more summer vacation playing in both the Olympics and Copa America than European players will have after the European Championship, says Brazil national teams coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi.
The former Selecao goalkeeper said that his federation is using this new claim to continue to negotiate with Barcelona over the presence of Neymar at the Copa America Centenario and the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Copa America Centenario runs from June 3-26 and the Olympics football tournament dates are Aug. 3-Aug. 20. Last month, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique also said no decision had yet been made regarding the Catalan club's Brazilian players.
But club president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Brazilian reporters last Saturday that Barcelona officially notified the Brazilian Football Federation two weeks ago of their intentions to allow Neymar to play in only one tournament.
"The problem [for Neymar's release] is the vacation time. They [Barcelona] are very concerned, as we are, because players must have their rest. We have prepared a document that shows that the players participating in the European Championship actually have fewer vacation days than those who might participate in the Olympics and Copa America combined.
"By our calculation, those who play in Copa America and the Olympics would have about 21 or 22 days off while those who play at Euros would only have about 15 days," the 1994 World Cup winner told Fox Sports on Monday.
Neymar has expressed a willingness to play in both tournaments, but Barca are not obliged to release players for the Olympics since they are not an official FIFA senior tournament. Only three players above the age of 23 can play in each squad. With Brazil having never won the gold medal, the country is prioritising the Games in Rio de Janeiro in August over June's Copa America Centenario in the United States.
"We are looking for a democratic solution," Gilmar said. "We are explaining how important it is for both the player and the club that he participate in both tournaments. And now, we have a second point to make [comparison of time off after Euros]. They will be analysing and evaluating, basically over the time off proposal."
Gilmar insisted that from a perspective of physical capacity, Neymar should be able to play in both tournaments, but admitted that the decision is up to the player and the Blaugrana club.
"We have done our planning, he has enough energy to play in both tournaments, plus we have this new data [that shows vacation time]. Of course we want the player for both tournaments just as the player wants to play in both, that is normal at his age. Neymar is 24 and is still at that age when he recovers quickly and that counts for a lot. But all will depend upon the player and the understanding with Barcelona.
"We want to find the best solution for everyone. We work with all the possibilities, but it is not now that this will be resolved. It will be at the right time."
Brazil boss Dunga said that he would prefer Neymar to play at the Olympics, which take place on home soil, than the Copa America in the United States if he is forced to choose between the two.
Luis Enrique, who also counts Brazil internationals Rafinha and Dani Alves among his squad, played down the issue last month, saying it would be addressed later.