Calcutta: Brazil coach Tite insisted that Neymar should be praised for his on-field attitude, despite the star striker inviting criticism for his antics during the World Cup.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward was on the receiving end of some rough treatment at times during the month-long competition in Russia, where the Brazilians lost 1-2 to Belgium in the quarter finals.

Yet, while Neymar certainly had cause for complaint, the 26-year-old risked was also criticised and mocked for some seemingly theatrical behaviour of his that came into spotlight.

Tite, though, defended the actions of the most valuable player of his team. "Neymar deserves to be praised for his behaviour, his recovery, his discipline," Tite was quoted as saying by a football-specific website.

"I've never had any problem with Neymar. It's so easy to work with him. Including when it came to the issue of complaining about the referees, when Neymar and [Philippe] Coutinho were fouled... From that moment on, he stopped complaining about the matter.

"For me, Neymar is among the top three players in the world."

Neymar, meanwhile, will be a part of the Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies against the United States and El Salvador. Manchester United's Andreas Pereira and Barcelona's Artur are among the new names in a much-changed Brazil squad.

Pereira, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder who spent last season on loan at Valencia, is one of two United players in the squad, along with Fred. Artur, who was called up but not used before the World Cup, is also included after a promising start to the season with Barcelona.

Asked about his star of the World Cup, won by France after they defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final, Tite replied: "The best player in the World Cup was (Luka) Modric, in my opinion. The second... (Eden) Hazard... No, (Mohamed) Salah, sorry. And the third was Cristiano Ronaldo."

"I mentioned Hazard... I got a bit angry with him because he played too well," Tite quipped, referring to the Chelsea and Belgium playmaker, who too was instrumental in sealing Brazil's fate in the last-eight stage.

"And (Thibaut) Courtois was also good and ended up as the best goalkeeper in the world and now is at Real Madrid. Don't tell me that this isn't the case because he was brilliant against Brazil," Tite added.