A number of current Selecao stars took their first steps in international football at the illustrious youth competition in France
The illustrious Toulon Tournament has time and again proved a successful breeding ground for the next generation of international stars, particularly for the five-time world champions Brazil.
The Selecao have claimed the title on eight previous occasions, a total bettered only by the host nation France who lifted the trophy nine times.
Brazil’s last Toulon victory arrived in 2014, when a number of those hoping to lead Brazil to victory at the Rio Olympics later this year secured the title with a stunning 5-2 victory over France, with a side that included future Olympians Marquinhos, Doria, Leandro, Ederson and Luan.
The competition got underway this week and while the Selecao were not among the list of invited nations taking part in 2016, its big kick-off has once again evoked memories of some of the great Brazil internationals who cut their teeth in the famous Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon.
Now made up of ten nations, this year’s sees the 44th edition of the competition which first kicked off in 1967. In the almost half a century since its birth, Toulon has proved a fitting showcase to future greats of the game such as Histro Stoichkov, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It has also welcomed a number of mercurial Brazilian talents who would go on to conquer the world with the Selecao, providing a stage for Taffarel, Cafu, Leonardo, Roberto Carlos, Jorginho, Mazinho, Kaka and current national team boss Dunga.
In addition to those world champions, a number of others who have gone on to have illustrious careers in the famous yellow jersey also displayed their immense promise in what is now one of the game’s most prestigious youth tournaments, with Careca, Adriano, Dani Alves, Juninho Pernambucano, and Diego among a host of high profile names to have blessed Toulon.
It has also played a major role in the development of a number of the current Brazil squad who will travel to USA this month for the Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour clash with Panama before going in seek of a ninth South America crown at the Copa America Centenario.
Of Dunga’s 23-man squad, Dani Alves, Filipe Luis, Alisson, Rafinha, Douglas Santos, Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio all have Toulon histories.
So while Brazilan fans may not be taking a great an interest in 2016’s edition as they have in previous years, the Tournament will no doubt attract fans from across the globe hoping to spot the next big talent set to make major waves in the international game.
..... - Goal