22 different Brazilian athletes have tried and failed to win the elusive gold medal before going on to conquer the globe with the five-time world champions
Five-times world champions, the Olympic gold medal remains the only major title for which Brazil are eligible that continues to elude them.
Never have expectations been as high as they will be next month when Brazil host the games for the first time. The quest for gold has become a national obsession.
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Even prior to the rule-change that saw nations restricted to under-23 squads with three wildcard slots, the Selecao saw future greats go in search of gold.
In 1952, Zozimo and Vava (then amateurs) joined the squad for the first games to which Brazil would send a football team. Both went on to be crowned two-time world champions, lifting the title in 1958 and 1962.
And history has continued to repeat. The great Gerson joined the squad in Rome eight years later. He would go on to be a vital part of perhaps the greatest team in football history as Pele and co. secured their third world title in 1970, but the Olympic campaign of 1960 would end with defeat to hosts Italy in the first round.
Striker Roberto Miranda, who competed in the 1964 games in Tokyo, was also a world champion in 1970.
At Los Angeles 1984, Brazil came within touching distance of glory, but even 1994 World Cup-winners Gilmar, Mauro Galvao and Dunga couldn’t see them over the line as their campaign ended with silver
The Seoul games of 1988 would also end in silver, despite including the spine of the side who would conquer the world in USA 1994 to claim the Selecao’s fourth world championship. Brazil took one of its most promising generations to South Korea but even Taffarel, Jorginho, Mazinho, Bebeto and future World Player of the Year Romario couldn’t bring home the gold.
The Atlanta Games of 1996 saw yet another great generation compete at the football tournament of the Olympics – one that formed the base of the fifth world title that Luiz Felipe Scolari would lead to glory in 2002.
Goalkeeper Dida, defender Roberto Carlos, midfielder Juninho, striker Luizao and future Ballon d’Or winners Rivaldo and Ronaldo were all included in the squad in USA, but their campaign ended with bronze
In all, 22 Brazilian players who have competed at the Olympics games for the Selecao have gone on to win the World Cup.
And that number could well be set to grow. Despite the disappointment of World Cup 2014 and a difficult two years since, 2016 Olympic coach Rogerio Micale will be heading a squad full of youngsters tipped for future greatness.
With senior team captain Neymar joined by Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa up front, we could well see the beginning of an attacking trio that could go down as being one of the finest in Brazil’s history.
First off, however, they will have to achieve something that none of their illustrious predecessors have managed. The World Cup will have to wait.
..... - Goal