Barcelona star Neymar and Bayern Munich forward Douglas Costa were named on Wednesday in Brazil’s 18-man Olympic squad with 37-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Prass included as the third over-age player.
Under-20 coach Rogerio Micale will manage the team after Dunga’s firing following Brazil’s Copa America exit. The team also includes Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, the 19-year-old Santos player who made his senior team debut in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in March. He scored six goals in four matches for the under-23 side last year. Gabriel Jesus was also included.
Micale made clear his call-ups were not influenced by the former two-time Brazil manager, or current boss Tite, saying: “In relation to Dunga’s legacy, there existed work in tandem. But from the moment I assumed the Olympic team the autonomy to call up players passed to me.
“I spoke to Tite. I welcomed him and now there is additional work. Now, I’d really like to say that I want count a lot on Tite along with my work. He has much to add. He’s the current Brazilian champion and has free reign.”
Micale said he has not yet selected a team captain and will do so once he gets to know the players, but took time out to highlight veteran Palmeiras keeper Prass’ leadership.
“He has the profile of leadership. I received a lot of information about what he represents to his club, he’s a player of leadership. He comes featuring and has demonstrated to be good at penalties. It’s a tournament in which these things can happen,” Micale said. “Now it’s the profile of technique and leadership. He always wants to win. And this is what we want for our national team: that it has technique and knows the importance of wearing the national team shirt.”
Five-time world champions Brazil have never won the Olympic tournament and they lost to Mexico in the gold-medal match in London in 2012. They begin competition on Aug. 4 against South Africa.
Barcelona superstar Neymar was barred by the Catalan club from participating in the Copa America in favour of the Olympic Games. Marquinhos was also given the green light from PSG to play on the Olympic team.
Micale said he will begin to build a relationship with the former Santos man in the days and weeks to come.
“I will get to know Neymar, eye to eye with him. More than a global star and an extremely successful athlete, he is a human, a man with feelings and reactions like any of us,” Micale said.
“So the conversation will be of one human to another, man to man. I will respect him and I’m certain that he will respect the situation. Afterward lets build a work relationship, and it will be the best possible because it will be very transparent. Where there is no transparency there is disagreement.”
Brazil Olympic team:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Prass (Palmeiras), Uilson (Atletico-MG)
Defenders: Luan (Vasco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Marquinhos (PSG), Douglas Santos (Atletico-MG), Zeca (Santos), Willian (Internacional)
Midfielders: Rafinha (Barcelona), Rodrigo Dourado (Internacional), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk), Thiago Maia (Santos), Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Luan (Gremio)
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