After their latest Copa America fiasco, the Brazilian National Team will be looking to bounce back as soon as possible, and what better way to do it than on their home turf in August?
The only major competition the Selecao has yet to win, the Olympics, is next up on their schedule, and the key factor that might lead the host nation to glory in Rio will be one player’s experience.
Primarily a U-23 competition, the Olympic games are where countries showcase their future talents to the rest of the world. For example, the Argentina squad that took home the gold medal in 2008 featured players who would go on to achieve major success in senior tournaments like Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Sergio Aguero.
In 2000, a 19-year-old Samuel Eto’o led Cameroon the gold medal, the only medal his country won in the 2000 Olympic games. Those games also featured players who would go on to become legends for their own countries like Hidetoshi Nakata for Japan, Xavi for Spain, as well as Ronaldinho for Brazil.
So, there is a correlation with players performing well in the Olympics and going on to do great things elsewhere. However, there is a different story shaping up in the squad Brazil will be fielding in Rio.
Manager Rogerio Micali had the option to choose three players over the 23-year-old mark, and he decided to bring in some experience for the defense in 37-year-old uncapped goalkeeper Fernando Prass.
Arguably one of the most contested positions for Brazil, the goalkeeper spot hasn't been a sure pick since 2002 World Cup winner Marcos decided to retire from the national team. After the years of disappointment with Julio Cesar defending Brazil’s goal and failing when they needed him the most, Brazilian managers had little to do but look for someone who could take over that number one spot like Marcos did.
Botafogo’s Jefferson, Roma’s Alisson, and Gremio’s Marcelo Grohe were the latest keepers to get a shot at the starting job. However, the selection of Prass for the Olympics is a clear sign that none of them are at the point where they could call the position their own.
Like Marcos in 2002, Prass is a veteran playing for Palmeiras and, despite his age, the gray-haired goalkeeper has been nothing short of spectacular for his club side over the past few years with his on and off the field leadership (something Brazil desperately needs), his fantastic saves, or even scoring goals to win championships like he did last year when Palmeiras took home the Brazilian Cup.
Now the question will be whether Prass will be able to lead a young group of players (the second oldest player in the squad is 25-year-old Douglas Costa) to achieve something none of the legends who came before them managed to accomplish.
