Barcelona attacker Neymar has been branded 'a natural leader' by his former futsal coach Darlan Santana da Silva.

The 23-year-old was handed the Brazil armband after last year's World Cup, replacing the experienced Thiago Silva.

Brazil coach Dunga's decision to appoint Neymar was questioned by some, but the forward's former youth-team coach believes that he was en route to becoming a leader from a very young age.

"Since he was a kid, Neymar was a leader," Da Silva told Goal.com. "He is respected by his friends and has a great sense of humour.

'I've never seen him be questioned for trying to do something different and it was very rare that it didn't come off. And on the few occasions it happened, he simply apologised."

Neymar has scored 43 goals in 62 games for his country.