The 22-year-old looks set for a club vs country battle after Paris Saint-Germain informed the Brazilian Football Federation they do not intend to release the player
Marquinhos could be the first player to withdraw from Brazil’s Rio Olympics squad after Paris Saint-Germain informed the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) they do not intend to release him.
On Wednesday the defender was named in the final 18-man squad by new coach Rogerio Micale.
But the French champions have since notified the CBF, via an email from Sporting Director Olivier Letang, of their refusal to sanction the player’s presence in Rio.
Clubs are under no obligation to release players for the tournament as the Olympics do not feature in the official FIFA calendar.
Micale admitted on Wednesday that some of the players he had hoped to take to Rio had seen their call-ups blocked.
Marquinhos' participation was not thought to be an issue, however, after the player himself told a June press conference his club were happy for him to compete.
“I have agreed a release, yes," he said during last month's Copa America. "In the beginning PSG made things a little difficult but we discussed everything and, since I am of Olympic age, everything is okay.”
That now appears to have changed. Marquinhos was part of the Brazil squad that was eliminated at the group stage of Copa America and competing at the Games would see the 22-year-old miss his club’s entire pre-season preparations.
Former technical coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi - who headed a number of protracted discussions with Barcelona earlier this year in order to seal the release of Neymar, with the two parties eventually agreeing the player would sit out of Copa America - told Goal Brasil on Thursday he had been in discussions with PSG prior to his dismissal last month.
“Now as I'm not there I cannot really talk about it,” Gilmar said. “But when I was there… negotiations to were well underway"
A source close to the player suggested later that day that the defender intends to compete at the Olympics “one way or another” and that a club vs country battle could be about to begin.
The same day Marquinhos tweeted, “Brazil, it is an honour to represent you going for this unprecedented medal. Eager to join the Olympic team.”
Brasil, que honra representa-lo rumo a essa medalha inédita! Ansioso pra começar logo os #JogosOlimpicos
..... - Goal