Brazil must make Copa America final, insists manager Tite

Anything other than an appearance in the final will be considered a failure in the eyes of the Selecao boss

Brazil coach Tite says anything less than an appearance in next year's Copa America final will be considered a failure for his team.

Tite's side will likely go into the competition as favourites, particularly with Brazil hosting the event for the first time since 1989.

However, they were also among the fancied sides at the World Cup in Russia, only to suffer a quarter-final loss to Belgium.

The Selecao have not reached a Copa America final since 2007 – when they beat Argentina – and Tite says it is imperative they return to the showpiece next year.

"We must play very well and we must win, we must be champions," he told a news conference ahead of Friday's friendly with Uruguay.

"At a minimum, we must reach the final.

"And, before that, have a good performance. I say it because we culturally live in a country that lives football."

He added: "I want to do my best in my daily job.

"I want to be the best version of me, I want to improve, to give opportunities through my work.

"The time I'll have... I don't know."

After facing Uruguay, Brazil will meet Cameroon in another friendly on Tuesday.

The Selecao have been in remarkable form since Tite was appointed in 2016, winning 24 of their 28 matches under his stewardship so far.

Brazil have only lost twice under the former Corinthians boss - one of those being against Belgium at the last World Cup and the other being a 1-0 reverse against Argentina in 2017.