Neymar afirma ganhar o ouro olímpico iria mostrar o potencial do Brasil Copa do Mundo

Plans: Neymar says Brazil's World Cup bid will be boosted by gold

Copa América 2011: Neymar é o papai ... mas o Brasil precisa de um ganso de ouro

Copa America 2011: Neymar's the daddy... but Brazil need a golden Goose

49 DAYS TO GO: 19-year-old announces he's going to be a dad. This was the top sport story running on Brazilian websites for much of yesterday.

It shows just how big the obsession with Neymar has become.

After announcing on facebook that he had got a 17-year-old girl pregnant, he flew back from Santos's Copa Libertadores win in Colombia and landed to a scene more befitting The Beatles at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos airport.

Neymar was mobbed by fans and press, adding only they he was 'very happy' at the prospect of being a father.

Neymar celebrates scoring for Brazil against Scotland

Among those waiting were heartbroken, sobbing teenage girls. 'The girl is very lucky,' a disappointed Kristi Helleyn, 15, told Globoesporte. Giani, 14, added: 'Now it's difficult for other girls. It's even harder!'

The identity of the mother-to-be has been withheld to protect her from the frenzy, but it is understood she is not - or at least was not - in a serious relationship with Neymar.

Just two days before the announcement he responded to tabloid tales about his private live by tweeting that he was single. A fortnight ago he told a TV programme he didn't have a girlfriend, only an admirer.

It is believed the girl is from Santos and three months' pregnant. Those who know him well say Neymar's initial reaction was one of shock and suspicion when he heard the news last week, but he has since banished negative thoughts.

Playboy model Nicole Bahls, 24 - linked with the star earlier in the week - kept herself in the spotlight by saying: 'It is a blessing. I fully support him and I'm very happy for him. I'm sure he will be a wonderful father - he is a wonderful person and the best player in the world. Surely this baby will be an angel in Neymar's life.

'I'm not dating him, but I know him very well. I prefer to leave doubt in the air, but I'm particularly fond of Neymar, as he is of me.'

Model Nicole Bahls says Neymar is fond of her

Neymar is a journalist's dream: good looking, controversial and, let's not forget, supremely talented. He will be on the front pages and leading advertising campaigns when the Copa America comes around, and media will be flocking to hear what he says.

Chelsea will regret that their £25million wasn't enough to sign him last August because now the price and competition seems to be rising by the month. I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up at Stamford Bridge, but does impending parenthood change anything? Maybe, and maybe not for the worse.

Neymar announced himself to Britain and Europe when he scored twice and dazzled against Scotland and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in March. And what struck him was that amid Neymar-fever, he could still find anonymity in London. Compatriots with a bigger profile over here have confirmed that to him too.

No such luck in Santos. Against the best advice of those around him last August, he made it clear he did not want to leave his hometown and the friends he had there. This was a teenage boy talking, but times change.

I've been to Santos, walked around its fairly small centre and visited the modest Vila Belmiro stadium where once Pele and now Neymar wow the crowds.

The local-boy-done-good cannot escape the frenzy there and he was alarmed by the harassment that followed the sacking of Dorival Junior, the manager who brought Neymar through only to be disposed of when he wanted to ban the forward for swearing at him in public. It's an episode the No 11 regrets and he was booed by his own fans in the immediate aftermath.

A change of scenery is now less daunting, and the attention will only grow. Whether he would consider leaving before his child is due around November is a legitimate question, but a move this summer may be affected by football matters in any case.

Santos are a step away from the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club competition, and club president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro is rather prematurely already dreaming of lifting the trophy and playing Barcelona in the Club World Cup come December.

That is the only thing that might postpone Paulo Henrique Ganso wanting to leave the club, too, which could prove an even greater benefit.

Neymar may hog the limelight, but Ganso is the player who many seasoned watchers of Brazil believe can return them to greatness. One journalist who watches Santos every week told me that the club can play well without Neymar, but not without the midfield maestro who has been called the Brazilian Zidane.

Ganso can play in the Kaka role, or a little deeper, and orchestrates play with a fantastic range of passing and the ability to see what is going on all around the pitch.

At 21 he has made it clear he wants to head for Europe, probably to Italy, and has both Milan clubs interested.

The concern for suitors, though, is the injury record of a player Santos want more than £30m for. It is just two months since Ganso, which means goose in Portuguese, returned from a serious knee injury that kept him out for seven months. The team who had run away with the Sao Paulo state title and Brazilian Cup in the first half of last year looked average in his absence and finished a disappointing eighth in the Brazilian Serie A.

Last weekend, as Santos played the first leg of this year's Sao Paulo state championship final against Corinthians, Ganso picked up a thigh injury that will keep him out for six weeks.

It not only dents the hopes of his club, but also puts his Copa America participation in serious doubt.

Mano Menezes, the coach who replaced Dunga after the World Cup last year, had hoped that next week he would be able to name what will more or less be his squad for the South American championship.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes embraces Neymar

Menezes is picking players to face Holland and Romania early next month - the latter being a farewell game for Ronaldo - and had indicated there will be few changes to the party who will travel to Argentina in July.

He will, however, give Ganso as long as possible to prove his fitness. 'We’re going to wait a little longer,' said Menezes. 'Maybe it won’t be so much (time he is out), let’s wait a bit to see how his recovery goes.

'Ganso is an organiser who reads the game for the team, he puts the pass through on goal, he sets the rhythm. This player is harder to find.'

High praise, especially for a player who has only one cap - earned in Menezes's first game in charge, against the United States in August, when Neymar again dominated the headlines for scoring on his debut.

And high praise because Brazil are arguably blessed with creative midfielders more than young natural goalscorers such as Neymar.

Leaving Kaka aside, Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Moura impressed as a sub against Scotland, replacing the tenacious Shakhtar Donetsk schemer Jadson, while Lazio's Hernanes has also been outstanding as a creative force in midfield at times this season.

But none of them is Ganso, and if he has the chance to fulfil his promise at the Copa America, he might just show Neymar who's the daddy.

source:http://grayblog.dailymail.co.uk

Thiago Silva: Neymar não ganha nada de árbitros

Thiago Silva: Neymar gets nothing from referees

Thiago Silva is concerned that Neymar has developed an unwarranted reputation for going to ground too easily, claiming that his Brazil teammate is now being denied clear free-kicks and penalties.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender felt that the 20-year-old forward was denied a stonewall penalty during the country's Olympic warmup clash with Team GB at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night and suspects that the Santos starlet's reputation is now going before him.

"That is my concern," Thiago Silva is quoted as saying by Globoespote. "He suffers a foul but does not get the decision.

"The crowd even got irritated with Neymar over that fall in the area. I was far away but it seemed like the guy pulled his neck."

Brazil did earn a penalty during their 2-0 win in Middlesbrough, with Neymar converting from the spot after Hulk had been felled by Micah Richards. Mano Menezes' side had earlier opened the scoring with a header from Sandro.



source:http://sports.yahoo.com

Brasil mostram Equipe GB o padrão-ouro

Brazil show Team GB the gold standard

Posted by AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

MIDDLESBROUGH, United Kingdom, July 20 – Brazil showed Team GB the standard required to win gold at the Olympics as the tournament favourites warmed up for the London Games with a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Friday.

First-half goals from Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro and Santos forward Neymar earned the South Americans a deserved friendly success and suggested that manager Stuart Pearce has a considerable amount of work to do ahead of Great Britain’s first Olympic fixture against Senegal at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Brazil’s swaggering display confirmed their status as leading contenders for Olympic gold, the only major honour to have so far eluded the five-time World Cup winners and eight-time Copa America champions.

It was a chastening experience for Pearce and his players in a fixture that was supposed to showcase their qualities ahead of Great Britain’s first appearance in the Olympic football event since 1960 in Rome.

The creation of the British team has not been without controversy as the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football Associations had all been vehemently opposed to the move and effectively tried to block their nations’ players from taking part.

There was Welsh representation in the form of Neil Taylor, Joe Allen, Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy, supplementing the core of a side that was largely made up of English players who had played under Pearce in the Under-21s.

There was no David Beckham though, with the former England skipper having been overlooked as Pearce selected Giggs, Bellamy and Micah Richards as his three over-age players.

Team GB play their opening Olympic fixture against Senegal in six days’ time, and their only warm-up game pitted them against the strongest possible opposition.

Only one member of Brazil’s 18-strong squad is not a senior international, and the quality at the disposal of head coach Mano Menezes was apparent from the outset at the Riverside.

Brazil should have claimed the lead as early as the sixth minute, but while long-time Chelsea target Neymar outpaced James Tomkins to reach Leandro Damiao’s flick-on, he blazed a wild shot over the crossbar.

The visitors did not have to wait long to claim the lead though.
Six minutes later, Neymar floated over a bouncing free-kick from the edge of the penalty area and Sandro peeled off at the back post to head home from an acute angle.

Richards saw a 15th-minute header cleared off the line by Paris Saint-Germain new boy Thiago Silva, but that was to prove a rare positive moment for Team GB amid a barrage of Brazilian attacking.

Brazil went close again when Leandro Damiao headed Rafael Da Silva’s right-wing cross over the crossbar, but the South Americans deservedly doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time.

Richards fouled Hulk as he twisted beyond the British back four, and Neymar calmly drilled a powerful penalty beyond Jason Steele’s right hand.

Steele was replaced by Jack Butland at the interval, and the Birmingham City goalkeeper produced smart saves to deny both Oscar and Leandro Damiao in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Bellamy drew an excellent point-blank save from Brazil goalkeeper Rafael Barbosa, although the Liverpool striker had already been flagged offside, and the hosts at least enjoyed a greater share of possession in the latter stages.



source:http://www.capitalfm.co.ke

Olímpicos - Team GB 0-2 Brasil

GB - Brazil footyroom.com 发布人 footyroom


[Olympic] Team GB 0-2 Brazil

Stuart Pearce's Team GB learnt just how tough their medal quest would be as they lost their only warm-up game 2-0 to Brazil.

Boasting a number of superb young talents in their ranks, Brazil proved far too strong for a Team GB side still building up fitness and a sense of understanding ahead of next week's opener.

Tottenham midfielder Sandro headed the visitors into a 12th-minute lead at The Riverside before the impressive Neymar converted a 35th-minute penalty after Micah Richards had tripped Porto frontman Hulk.

In truth, the Brazilians won with something to spare on a night when goalkeepers Jason Steele before the break and Jack Butland after it kept the scoreline respectable in front of a crowd of 24,721.

Just what Team GB boss Stuart Pearce was able to glean from an intensely difficult evening is debatable, but his players were left in little doubt as to the standards they will have to reach if they are to figure at the business end of the Olympic tournament.

A bullish Pearce revealed in the build-up to the game that, rather than shying away from the tournament favourites, he welcomed the opportunity for his players to test themselves against the best before they begin their campaign against Senegal at Old Trafford next Thursday evening.

By the time the half-time whistle had sounded, he could have been forgiven for wishing he had taken a different route.

Team GB, who will play in the men's competition for the first time since 1960, were simply outclassed as the powerful South Americans went through their full repertoire.

Leandro Damiao was asked to lead the line ahead of a potentially lethal trio of Chelsea-bound Oscar, Santos starlet Neymar and Porto's Hulk, and they tormented Pearce's back four throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Left-back Neil Taylor in particular did not know what had hit him as, even with Tottenham midfielder Danny Rose trying to help him out, Neymar, who squandered a glorious sixth-minute opening, and Hulk repeatedly got in behind him to expose James Tomkins and Micah Richards in the middle.

Ironically, when the Brazilians did take the lead, they did so in somewhat prosaic style with Rose's Spurs team-mate Sandro heading Neymar's back-post free-kick across Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, playing on his home ground, and into the far corner.

GB might have been level within three minutes when Richards met Ryan Giggs' free-kick beyond the far post, but although his downward header beat keeper Rafael Barbosa, defender Thiago Silva was on hand to clear.

Chances were few and far between for Pearce's men, who started with Daniel Sturridge playing as a lone striker and attempting to prove his match fitness after a bout of viral meningitis.

But their task became even more difficult 10 minutes before the break when, after Richards had tripped Hulk inside the penalty area to leave French referee Clement Turpin little choice but to point to the spot, Neymar stepped up to fire the ball low to Steele's right and into the bottom corner.

The youngster had earlier angered the home fans before going to ground theatrically after attempting one too many step-overs as he tried to trick his way past right-back Ryan Bertrand, and his rapid recovery sweet strike did little to redeem him in their eyes.

He forced a solid 37th-minute save from Steele at his near post after once against escaping Taylor and saw a long-range effort deflected over the bar at the death with the hosts reeling.

Pearce made four changes at the break, but they made little immediate impact as the Brazilians started where they had left off.

Substitute keeper Butland, who went to Euro 2012 with England, was forced to save from Oscar and Damiao in quick succession with his defence offering little protection.

There was a glimmer of hope for Britain with 57 minutes gone when Rose did well to get forward down the left and produce an inviting cross for Bellamy, who was stunned to see Barbosa pull off a remarkable point-blank save, although an offside flag rendered his heroics unnecessary.

The half-time introduction of Scott Sinclair had given Team GB fresh impetus down the left, although the visitors were in cruise control as they eased towards the final whistle.

But had it not been for Butland, who clawed Neymar's 90th-minute shot out of his bottom corner one-handed and then palmed substitute Alexandre Pato's header over the bar, the margin of victory would have been even more comprehensive.



source:http://www.ryangiggs.cc

Neymar fica entediado ESPERANDO POR CAMISA SWANSEA DEFENDER NEIL TAYLOR'S (BRASIL 2-0 Grã-Bretanha)

Having run rings round them during the match, Brazil star Neymar soon discovered that Team GB weren’t even capable of getting undressed as well as him.

The young talent’s shirt was quickly snapped up by Swansea left-back Neil Taylor at the final whistle. But there then followed an awkward wait while Taylor – Neymar’s Brazil shirt firmly in his grasp – wrestled to get out of his Team GB jersey.

The Wales international appeared to be having real problems removing his snug fitting kit.

OTP presumes the exchange took place in the end, but at the time the TV cameras cut away Neymar was still awaiting delivery of his memorabilia.



source:http://www.offthepost.info

Oscar e Neymar brilhar para o Brasil e promete um verão Olímpico de diversão

Getty Images

Oscar & Neymar shine for Brazil and promise an Olympic summer of fun

A new generation of Samba stars look ready to excel at London 2012 and impress the long line of heavyweight European suitors chasing the game's next iconic players

By Alex Fisher

For excitement, entertainment and goals during the Olympic football tournament, forget Team GB and look no further than Brazil and their exciting new generation of stars.

It may be the first time that Great Britain have entered a football team in the Olympic Games since 1960 but, for the likes of Neymar, Oscar and Lucas Moura, they are following in a long line of Brazilians representing their country at the summer Olympiad.

The likes of Ronaldinho, Romario and Ronaldo have all represented Brazil at the games and the new crop of youngsters look set to make a similar kind of impact to those made by their predecessors.

It is hardly a surprise that many of the current squad have attracted attention from the top European clubs, and this summer gives them the chance to shine in the spotlight a major tournament provides and possibly inflate their prices further.

The warm-up match against Team GB was their first chance to show everyone what they have got and they did not disappoint as they dominated possession, created numerous chances and showed Britain how much work they have got to do if they are to be successful in the upcoming competition.

All eyes will naturally fall on Santos' Neymar but it was the much-fancied Oscar who stood out as he conducted the play from the middle of the Riverside pitch. He strolled through the game, showing everyone what he is all about, barely breaking a sweat in a comfortable warm-up for the youngster.

The 20-year-old is not as flamboyant as team-mate Neymar - he does not naturally stand out, but when you watch him closely you see a midfielder who is comfortable in possession, can pass the ball accurately with both feet, loves going forward but is far from ignorant of his defensive duties. 

His link-up play with Romulo in the centre of the pitch was fantastic to watch. It was as if they had played together for years as they made Tom Cleverley and Joe Allen chase all over the pitch just to get a touch of the ball.

So what of Neymar? The new wonderkid of Brazilian football, the new Pele, the Brazilian Messi. There's no doubt that the forward is a talented individual and a player who will light up the upcoming tournament. A move to Europe is surely not far away, with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona all ready to make him an offer that he cannot refuse. 

His radar was slightly off in the opening stages against Team GB but he confidently fired home his penalty in the 35th minute, though after that it was a frustrating night as he was thwarted by Jack Butland on numerous occasions in the second half.  

And just when you thought an Olympic squad couldn't get any stronger, on came the elegant Ganso and the flying winger Lucas Moura. He may only be 19 but Sao Paulo starlet Lucas has already caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and his outstanding club performances have prompted a final £32 million bid from Manchester United.

If Sao Paulo were hoping that his high price tag would deter potential suitors, they may be disappointed if he continues to deliver cameo appearances as he did against Great Britain. He may have only had 20 minutes on the pitch but it was more than enough time for Lucas to show what his game is all about, as he tore past Danny Rose with plenty of pace and direct running, as well as demonstrating an eye for goal.

The 18-man squad is not just about these three players, though; there are many more ready to shine and entertain us over the course of the coming weeks. There will be goals, tricks, flicks, acrobatics - and let's not forget those fancy dance moves.

source:http://www.goal.com

Diver sujo! Neymar tenta um golpe penalidade (Brasil) v Equipe GB

Dirty Diver! Neymar tries to scam a penalty (Brazil) v Team GB

He is one of the world’s great players, but Neymar appears to have a diving problem.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Brazilian starlet attracted a large amount of criticism after he managed to get Gremio’s Wesley booked for a phantom foul, that ultimately lead to a goal for Santos.

Unfortunately, on Friday night Neymar was at it again at the Riverside stadium.

After working his way into the Team GB box on the half hour of the Olympics warm-up match, the teenager fell unconvincingly in the box as he tried to con a penalty under the watched gaze of Ryan Bertrand.

What makes Neymar’s dives all-the-more galling is that having so much ability in his arsenal, it should be beneath him to resort to shady tricks. In short, Neymar should never reduce himself to cheating, but sadly it appears to happen with regularity.

Watch Neymar’s latest dirty dive below.

source:http://www.101greatgoals.com

Neymar: caixa de truques não é o principal

Brasil Mostrar Grã-Bretanha Gold Standard

Brazil Show Britain Gold Standard

MIDDLESBROUGH, England : Neymar turned in a fine individual display by scoring one goal and setting up another as Brazil warmed up for the Olympics with a 2-0 victory over Britain on Friday.

The 20-year-old striker whipped in a free kick for Sandro to head the gold medal favorites in front in the 12th minute.

Neymar got on the scoresheet himself in the 35th with a penalty after Hulk was tripped by Britain defender Micah Richards.

The British rarely looked capable of scoring as they were outclassed ahead of their first appearance in the Olympics since 1960.

Britain started with Daniel Sturridge playing as a lone striker as he attempted to prove his match fitness after a bout of viral meningitis.

But they relied on goalkeepers Jason Steele and Jack Butland, who each played a half, to ensure Brazil didn’t leave the Riverside Stadium with a bigger victory.

Leandro Damiao, supported by Oscar, Neymar and Hulk tormented England’s back four from the start.

But the hosts could have leveled after Sandro’s opener. Richards met Ryan Giggs’ free kick beyond the far post, although defender Thiago Silva was on hand to clear a downward header.
After Neymar extended Brazil’s lead from the spot, the Santos star forced a save from Steele at his near post and saw a long-range effort deflected over the bar.

After the break, Butland was forced to save from Oscar and Damiao in quick succession with his defense offering little protection.

There was a glimmer of hope for Britain when Danny Rose crossed to Craig Bellamy, but the Welsh forward’s effort was denied by a point-blank save.

There was a lively finale, with Butland making a one-handed save to block Neymar’s shot towards the bottom corner and then palming Alexandre Pato’s header over the crossbar. Britain has not fielded an Olympic team since the 1960 Games in Rome because football federations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland feared losing their independence within FIFA.

The world body assured the football associations their status won’t be affected by participating in the 16-team competition as the Olympics return to London for the first time since 1948. There are no players from Scotland or Northern Ireland in the squad, with only England and Wales represented.

In Middlesbrough, England, Britain’s women’s soccer team, who take part in the first event of the Olympic Games when they play New Zealand in Cardiff next Wednesday, drew 0-0 with Sweden in their first official match at the Riverside Stadium on Friday.

The game, the first half of a double-header with the men’s Olympic team due to play Brazil later, was full of fine technical play from two evenly matched teams making their final preparations in a low-key encounter before the start of the soccer tournament next week.

The British team, whose only other match was a behind closed doors training game which ended in a 3-1 win over South Africa this month, came closest to a goal when Rachel Yankey, making her 120th appearance for England as a second half substitute, hit a post with a well-taken left-foot shot after 70 minutes.

Sweden, who finished third in last year’s women’s World Cup and are fourth in FIFA’s world rankings threatened several times and Sofia Jakobsson, who plays professionally in Russia, wasted a good scoring chance just before halftime.

Caroline Seger, winning her 93rd cap for Sweden, had her side’s two best scoring chances, but failed to take either.

The two sets of players will be seeing plenty of each other over the next few weeks, whether they meet in the later stages of the Games or not as they are sharing the same accomodation block in the Olympic Village.

Britain, taking part in the Olympics for the first time, face Cameroon and gold medal favourites Brazil in their opening group matches, while Sweden are grouped with world champions Japan, Canada and South Africa, their first opponents in Coventry next Wednesday.

The soccer tournament traditionally starts before the opening ceremony to accommodate the competition programme which features 16 men’s teams and 12 womens.

source:http://www.arabtimesonline.com

Tentativa GB tudo misturado

GettyImagesA subdued crowd watched on as Great Britain battled against their Brazilian rivals

Brasil impressionar para derrotar GB

GettyImagesAll eyes will be on Neymar at the Games

Olympic Warm-Up: Neymar na chamada para o Brasil contra G.Britain

Equipe GB 0-2 Brasil: Sandro & Neymar no alvo como homens Pearce ultrapassado antes da Olimpíada

Brasil Olimpíadas relatório scouting: Neymar, Oscar e Thiago Silva perigo Seleção entre os homens com um ponto a provar

Neymar - Brazil

Brazil Olympics scouting report: Neymar, Oscar & Thiago Silva among Selecao danger men with a point to prove

The South Americans face Team GB in a friendly as both teams continue their London 2012 preparations and Goal.com looks at what the Brits ought to know ahead of the game
ANALYSIS By Miles Chambers

Brazil travel to the 2012 Olympics with just Spain more favoured among the general public to win gold in Great Britain.

Most UK football fans only started to get excited when the Selecao’s mouth-watering squad was announced, shortly after Team GB’s uninspiring team selection caused more eye-rolls than interest.

A look down the player names is like reading a list of the most high-profile transfer targets in the world right now: Lucas Moura, Neymar, Ganso, Leandro Damiao, Oscar, Hulk.

Goal.com looks at who the danger men are, why the Olympics is craved so much in the South American nation, who their coach is and unearths intriguing facts about this summer’s Samba Boys.

OLYMPIC HISTORY

Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride - the Olympics is a major tournament that has so far eluded the five-time World Cup winners and seven-time Copa America champions.

Romario (pictured above) was part of the Brazil side that reached the final in Seoul 1988 and scored in the 2-1 extra-time defeat to the Soviet Union.

This last-gasp loss came four years after being beaten 2-0 in the gold medal match by France and those consecutive silver medals are the only final appearances in 11 qualifications for the historic sporting event.

Sixteen years ago they picked up a bronze medal by thrashing Portugal 5-0 after being stunned by Nigeria in the Atlanta Olympics semi-finals 4-3 in extra-time.

Four years ago they repeated that achievement after perennial South American rivals Argentina knocked them out 3-0 in the semis, before the Brazilians put three goals past Belgium to help the nation finish 23rd in the overall medal table.

This summer they will be desperate to put past woes behind them to give them a welcome boost with the 2014 World Cup, being hosted in Brazil, less than two years away.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hulk

One of many Brazilians linked with a move to Chelsea (and Tottenham) this summer, the Porto star is likely to be at the heart of many successful attacks at London 2012.

Picked as one of the three over-23 players in the Olympic side, Hulk has 13 caps and three goals for the senior side but all of these have come in the last three years. He has performed notably in recent friendlies and, now he is a key figure in the Selecao step-up, he will be eager to prove he can shoulder the responsibility.

Neymar

Described in some quarters as the most exciting player of this generation, the Santos striker is a potential leading figure for the Brazil national side in the future.

At London 2012, eyes will be fixed upon the 20-year-old to see if the tricky attacker is as talented as many say he is. How he performs on the major stage could affect future moves to vaunted clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Oscar

The Internacional midfielder will be one of the most keenly watched by British eyes seeing as the 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a Chelsea move.

The starlet has shown tidy performances in recent Selecao matches which has allowed him to leapfrog Ganso in the Mano Menezes’ preferred starting line-up. Whether he keeps his place for the duration of the tournament could depend on his creative impact in the group games.

Sandro

One of only two Premier League stars in the Brazil squad, Sandro ensures the hard graft is achieved alongside the Samba-style and attractive attacking that many of his compatriots prefer.

Linked with Real Madrid (where Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric looks destined to go this summer) not so long ago, the Spurs central midfielder still has plenty to learn but is fast becoming lauded for his solid showings in north London. The Olympics should allow critics to see how far he has come in his time at White Hart Lane.

Thiago Silva

Having just secured a move to cash-rich Ligue 1 club (and a second-home for Serie A stars) PSG, the team captain is undoubtedly Brazil's best central defender.

The oldest player will have the duty of leading the younger defenders like Juan Jesus and Bruno Uvini to glory against teams that will be fighting for their survival in the competition. A commanding presence in the centre of the back-line always helps teams progress into the final stages of a tournament.

COACH



The man to lead the Brazil Under-23s throughout London 2012 will be the senior squad’s head coach - Mano Menezes.

The manager was expected to bring in a more experienced player to team up with Thiago Silva in defence, so David Luiz's absence has taken pundits in Brazil by surprise.

However, the coach has been coherent in keeping Hulk in his first-team plans - the Porto attacker had top form during friendlies earlier in the summer.

Brazil legend Romario said to reporters at the start of July when the squad was picked: “It's rubbish. Nothing against the over-23s who were selected, but this should have gone to players who are more experienced.

“I'm not the coach, but I disagree with this selection. I would take three defenders over the age of 23.”

Despite Brazil dropping out of the Fifa top 10 for the first time since it was created in the early 1990s, Menezes has largely done a good job with the Selecao.

Two losses in June were a set-back to the coach but Hulk, Oscar, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Alexandre Pato and Neymar - all in the Olympic squad - have scored in the last three senior games.

DID YOU KNOW?




The national side has only missed the men’s football event at the Olympic Games three times in the last 52 years.

According to Goal.com Brazil’s Matheus Harb: “The gold medal is one of the international trophies that Brazil has never won, despite holding five World Cup and several Copa America titles at its tab. So the top of the podium is met as an obligation in every edition of the Games.”

Brazil hosts the next World Cup in 2014 and the next Olympics in 2016. Plenty of major tournament football on home turf coming up for these players, then.

Mano Menezes's men’s opponents in the group stage are Belarus (who they face second at Manchester United’s ground, Old Trafford), Egypt (their first game of London 2012 in the Millenium Stadium in Wales) and New Zealand (at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park to conclude their group games).

If the Selecao top Group C and Spain finish second in Group D, the footballing giants will face each other in the quarter-final stage at St James’ Park on Saturday August 4.

Senior players who are missing out on the Olympic finals include Barcelona’s Dani Alves, Chelsea duo Ramires and David Luiz, Inter right-back Maicon, former Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka and Ronaldinho, who has been capped 94 times for his country.

Can Brazil win genuinely go for gold? Matheus Harb believes so. The Brazil expert said: “If they manage to defend way better against good opponents, and run away from the predictable style of play they have been showing, then the gold medal may become a reality.”

source:http://www.goal.com

Neymar brilha como o Brasil derrotou a Equipe GB

Neymar slots home from the penalty spot © PA Photos
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Grã-Bretanha vs Brasil: Neymar e Estrelas Canarinho Quem deve prosperar em amistoso

Equipe GB 0-2 Brasil: Sandro e Neymar no alvo

Team GB 0-2 Brazil: Sandro and Neymar on target

Team GB was given a soccer lesson by Brazil in its Olympic Gameswarmup match at the Riverside Stadium as it was comfortably beaten 2-0.

Neymar desapontado com snub Beckham

Neymar diz que as expectativas de alta para o ouro olímpico