Douglas Costa And 37-Year-Old Join Neymar In Brazil's Olympic Squad

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The likes of Thiago Silva was among those to miss out as Under-20 coach Rogerio Micale revealed the group that will hunt the Selecao's first gold medal.

Douglas Costa and 37-year-old Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass will join Neymar in the Brazil squad at the Rio Olympics, coach Rogerio Micale announced on Wednesday.

Veteran Prass and Bayern Munich’s Costa join the Barcelona star to make up the Selecao's three permitted overage players. 

Captain Neymar returns to the squad after sitting out of this month’s Copa America Centenario in the USA in order to lead the quest for gold. Doulgas Costa was forced to pull out of Copa Ameirca through injury.

Olympic squads must be made up of at least fifteen under-23 players, born on or after 1 January 1993. Each nation is permitted to name up to three overage players.

Rio 2016 is not included in the men’s international match calendar, however, and earlier this month a FIFA spokesperson confirmed that “clubs are not under any obligation to release players for the tournament, irrespective of the player’s age.”

Previous coach Dunga was set to lead Neymar and Brazil into the Rio games but his dismissal last month saw Under-20 coach Micale handed the reigns.

Brazil kick have been drawn in Group A of the Rio Olympics men’s football tournament and kick-off their campaign against South Africa in Brasilia on August 4.

Neymar said:

"Winning gold would be incredible, unforgettable, and you can be sure we'll give our best on the pitch to make it happen"

Brazil’s Rio 2016 squad in full

Goalkeepers: Fernando Prass (Palmeiras), Uilson (Atletico Mineiro).

Defenders: Luan (Vasco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), 

Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro), Zeca (Santos), Willian (Internacional).

Midfielders: Rafinha (Barcelona) Rodrigo Dourado (Internacional), Fred (Shakhtar), 

Thiago Maia (Santos), Felipe Anderson (Lazio).

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Luan (Gremio).

Source: Goal