Brazil U23 announced their final squad for the Olympics on July 2 after initially naming a 50-man preliminary team last month. Due to clubs preventing their players from joining, the number was further reduced to 22. The rescheduled Olympics hosted in Japan are set to begin on July 22, 2021.
Participation
Brazil U23 side participated in the Olympics for the 13th time since their first appearance in 1952. However, they won their only gold medal at the Games four years back on their home soil when Neymar jr captained the side to glory. Brazil won two bronze medals and three silver medals before that.
Qualification to Olympics 2020
Brazil finished runners-up to Argentina in the final stage of the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic tournament to qualify for the main Games this summer. The Selecao scored the same amount of goals and had better goal differences than their arch-rivals but managed to win only one game and drew the other two in three games available. Their defensive record was particularly impressive, conceding only two compare to Argentina's six. In fact, Brazil defeated Argentina in the final game with a respectful 3-0 scoreline. Hertha Berlin's Matheus Cunha scored the most number of goals not only for his nation but also in the tournament.
Brazil U23 Men's Football Team Squad :
Goalkeepers: Brenno (Gremio), Lucao (Vasco da Gama), Aderbar Santos (Athletico Paranese)
Defenders: Nino (Fluminese), Ricardo Graca (Vasco da Gama) Guilherme Arana (Atletico MG), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras) Dani Alves (Sao Paulo), Diego Carlos (Sevilla), Abner Vinicius (Athletico Paranese), Bruno Fuchs (CSKA Moscow)
Midfielders: Matheus Henrique (Gremio), Bruno Guimaraes (Lyon), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Claudinho (RB Bragantino), Reinier (Real Madrid), Douglas Augusto (PAOK)
Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen), Richarlison (Everton), Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin), Antony (Ajax)
Manager: Andre Jardine
Center-back Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal was named in the final squad for the Olympics but suffered a knee injury that rules him out of the competition. Ricardo Graca of Vasco da Gama has been called up to the squad in place of him. Gerson of Marseille, Zenit forward Malcolm and Flamengo's Pedro were all included in the initial squad but didn't make it to the final list. They were not granted permission by their clubs to head to the Games. Initially, Neymar was asked to join the group after helping his nation to a gold medal in the last Olympics only for PSG to lock all doors for him. Everton's Richarlison is included even after playing Copa America with Brazil and reaching the final of the competition in the summer just days before the Games.
Key Player: Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha has turned out to be the team's prominent goalscorer making him a probable key player for the tournament. Indeed the experience of Dani Alves stands out or the blazing Richarlison being a threat, Cunha's ability to be cool at game-changing moments makes him special. Whether it's from an open play or the spot goals are guaranteed from him. The 22-year-old became the top scorer in the Pre-Olympics and followed it with an excellent performance for Hertha in the Bundesliga last season. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli could have been the player for Brazil but for his injury issues since moving to North London halting some of the progress of his meteoric rise at that time. So, the cards are on Cunha to give the Brazil side back to back gold medals.
Prospect to watch: Antony
Brazilian supporters or even the neutrals will put their attention on the right-winger increasing his stock to make the next move of his career. We are speaking about Antony. The 21-year-old from Ajax is immensely talented, sensational in taking on defenders, a lot of tricks on his sleeves and have an eye for an assist or even bulging the net. He contributed to 17 goal contributions in 24 appearances for the Dutch side in the Eredivisie. In addition to that, he made 35 key passes, created 43 chances and maintained a passing accuracy of 80%. Antony's progress is rapid and winning a gold medal with his nation will add value to his growing career. So he is a prospect to watch at the Olympics overall.
Over the age of 23: Santos (31), Dani Alves (38), Diego Carlos (28)
The rule for the Games is players in the final squad must be born on or after January 1, 1997, with only three overage players allowed.
The veteran player of the team is the legendary right-back, Dani Alves. He joins the team for his experience and leadership. Now 38 years of age, he is the oldest player participating in the Games. Alves is the most decorated player in football history. He has won a mind-blowing figure of 42 trophies, more silverware than any other player.16 of them being in Europe at club level. The former FC Barcelona man found a new role in moving to Sao Paulo but he is likely to move back to defense from his midfield position. Diego Carlos has made a name for himself at Sevilla attracting interest from high spending clubs in Europe. The other aged player in the group is goalkeeper Aderbar Santos of Athletico Paranese.
Brazil Football Team Olympics 2021 Profile :
Brazil U23 boasts another talented squad for the summer Olympics at least the next best to the one that won the gold medal at Rio in 2016. The forward line is especially stacked with wonderful talents. Midfield is pretty impressive too. The one issue Canarinho may face is the defense. Surely, there is a certain Dani Alves proving solidity to the back four with Diego Carlos mending it alongside although it is the sector of the pitch having fewer qualities than the other areas. However, Brazil's forward line is enough to prevail them in the Games.
Fixtures and Probability
1) Brazil U23 vs Germany U23 - Thursday, July 22nd (Nissan Stadium, Yokohama)
2) Brazil U23 vs Ivory Coast U23 - Sunday, July 25th (Nissan Stadium, Yokohama)
3) Saudi Arabia U23 vs Brazil U23 - July 28th, Wednesday (Saitama Stadium, Saitama)
Brazil faces Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia but firstly Germany in the tournament opener of Group D. The first two gains qualification to the latter stages so Brazil is moving into its eyes closed. But the winner of the first game of the group inevitably decides who ends at the top of the table. If Brazil finishes top of the chart, they will lock horns with runners up of Group C or else the winners if they finish second to determine their quarterfinals opposition.
