Santos boss Muricy Ramalho has praised Neymar for his maturity as a player after learning to fend off bad tackles.

The Brazil international was on the receiving end of a hard sideline tackle from Jermaine Jones against the United States earlier this week, but Ramalho insists that his star forward has learnt to counter rough opponents.

"He knows he was hit hard but he protected himself well," the Santos manager told Globoesporte.

"This [tackle] was rough, but he is so strong and held his own. The American (Jones) was nervous and scared.

"Still, he has to fulfill his role in the selection, which is important."

Meanwhile, Brazil take on Mexico in Texas this weekend.