Neymar to be called up for Brazil's 2016 Olympic team

Neymar will be selected as one of Brazil's three over-age players for the 2016 Olympics, the team's manager Alexandre Gallo said on Thursday.

>>Reuters
Published : 31 Oct 2014, 12:06 PM
Updated : 31 Oct 2014, 12:06 PM

Olympic soccer gold is the only major title Brazil have not won and with Rio de Janeiro hosting the Games the pressure is on - even with the tournament still almost two years away.

Gallo said he would call up Barcelona striker Neymar and two other over-age players. All teams must take under-23 squads but are permitted three over-age players.

"I will take (those) three players," Gallo said in an interview with Sportv. "Or rather two. One will be Neymar. You can't think about Brazilian football without thinking of him."

The decision could mean Neymar will face a punishing schedule in 2016. The U.S. is to host a special Centenary Copa America in June. The Olympics take place in August.

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