Brazil today announced its squad for the Olympic Games in China and I am sure the news upset managers all over Europe.
Olympic gold is the one significant soccer title that Brazil has never won, and this years squad includes several big names. The biggest are Barcelona’s Ronaldinho and Real Madrid forward Robinho who are two of the over 23 year old players in the squad.
Also named are Manchester United midfielder Anderson, Manchester City’s new record signing Jo, and Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. All three will now miss the start of the new Premier season
Brazil coach Dunga picked Fluminense defender Thiago Silva as the third player older than 23 in the squad, in addition to Ronaldinho and Robinho. “The experience factor can be decisive in the Olympics,” Dunga said. “That’s why several players born in 1985 were chosen, and even the youngsters already have international experience.”
Ronaldinho has been shunned by Barcelona after two bad seasons and the Olympics in front of a world wide audience is a fantastic opportunity for him to reclaim his title as one of the worlds best footballers. Does he have anything left is the question on everyone’s lips.Ronaldinho and Brazil will begin to answer that question on August 8th against Belgium.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional). Defenders: Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Shalke), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Fluminense).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen); Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Lucas (Liverpool), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Thiago Neves (Fluminense).
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Jo (Manchester City), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Robinho (Real Madrid).
