Neymar Carries a Nation’s Hopes on His Shoulders as Brazil Go for Olympic Gold

Neymar fought incessantly for the right to lead his team out at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. But now the real work starts as Barcelona’s star prepares to take a leading role in the quest to break the Selecao’s gold-medal drought in their own back yard. 

Whichever way you look at it, no team can measure up to Brazil when it comes to international success. The logical starting point would be the five World Cups that sit in the trophy cabinet, won by legends as diverse as Garrincha, Pele, Jairzinho, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, to name just a handful. 

The list of silverware goes on. The Selecao have triumphed eight times in the Copa America or its forerunner, the South American Championship, placing them behind just Uruguay and Argentina in the overall rankings. And of the nine Confederations Cup tournaments that have taken place since 1992, Brazil have lifted the trophy on no less than four occasions. 

But there is one black mark against that otherwise flawless record that Neymar and the rest of his team-mates will be desperate to erase. Despite three final appearances, they have never triumphed in the Olympic Games. With the show coming to Carioca country in August, there is simply no room for failure despite the coaching upheaval that has afflicted Brazil in the aftermath of the Copa America. 

The first step to glory, in the eyes of the Brazilian Football Confederation, ex-coach Dunga and everyone involved, was making sure Neymar would be involved. This was no easy task. Unlike other major tournaments, the Olympics football competition is not a FIFA-sanctioned event, and thus clubs have no obligation to release their star players. 

June’s Copa America Centenario in the United States further complicated the …

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