Brazil has barely got over its World Cup disaster and now it is counting on Neymar to finally deliver a treasured first football Olympic gold medal when they take on South Africa in the opening game today
Brazil's Neymar (right) and Gabriel Jesus have a laugh during a training session in Brasilia yesterday. Pic/AFP
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil has barely got over its World Cup disaster and now it is counting on Neymar to finally deliver a treasured first football Olympic gold medal when they take on South Africa in the opening game today.
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Brazil's Neymar (right) and Gabriel Jesus have a laugh during a training session in Brasilia yesterday. Pic/AFP
Olympic gold is the only international title to elude Brazil in an illustrious history that has seen A Selecao win five World Cups.
And Brazilian football is in desperate need of a pick-me-up after the humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany at their own World Cup two years ago and a group stage exit at the Copa America Centenario in June.
Golden boy Neymar has been untarnished by the failures. Two broken vertebrae in his back suffered near the end of a quarter-final win over Colombia left Brazil without their talisman against the Germans two years ago.
Part of an agreement
And as part of an agreement between Barcelona and the Brazilian federation, Neymar skipped the Copa America to ensure he is fresh for the Olympics Rogerio Micale will take charge after leading Brazil to the under-20 World Cup final last year. Like the fans he also expects Neymar to deliver.
"I want to be dependent on Neymar. What coach in the world would not want a Neymar in their team? Neymar has exceeded my expectations.
"He is appreciated, he's a good guy with a huge heart especially around the younger players.
"He has shown that he is more than just a great player — he's a great man admired by everybody," said Micale.
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