International Football: Brazil Squad Announced for 2012 London Olympics

The Brazil national football squad has been announced for the 2012 London Olympics, as the country goes in search of its first Olympic title.

The South American giants have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand. While they should have no trouble qualifying, the real question is whether or not they can go all the way.

Coach Mano Menezes has so far announced only his preliminary 22-man squad for the tournament, which features a total of three players over 23 years old, as per Olympic rules. The squad will be cut down to just 18 players prior to the event.

Read on to see who made the squad, and what their chances of success are.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Rafael Cabral (Santos)

Neto (Fiorentina)

Defenders

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Rafael da Silva (Manchester United)

Danilo (FC Porto)

Alex Sandro (FC Porto)

Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Juan (Inter Milan)

Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders

Romulo (Vasco da Gama)

Ganso (Santos)

Oscar (Internacional)

Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur)

Lucas (Sao Paulo)

Forwards

Neymar (Santos)

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)

Leandro Damiao (Internacional)

Hulk (FC Porto)

Replacements

Marquinhos (Corinthians)

Giuliano (Dniepr/UKR)

Cassemiro (Sao Paulo)

Gabriel (AC Milan/ITA)

Over-Age Selections

Every nation is allowed three players over the age of 23 at the Olympics.

Brazil have chosen Porto striker Hulk, as well as defenders Marcelo and Thiago Silva as the team's three over-age selections.

Hulk (Porto)

Hulk (pictured) is considered the star inclusion in the side, with the 25-year-old's experience and skills sure to be a valuable asset to the Brazilian team.

He has netted three goals for the senior side since 2009.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes said of Hulk (via the BBC): "He brings a lot of strength to the team. His experience will be important in big matches, as well as his great ability to be decisive."

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Marcelo had a strong season with club side Real Madrid. The left-back finished with the club's fifth-highest average match rating for the season, according to WhoScored.com.

The 24-year-old also led the club in interceptions in 2011-12 and will be a great inclusion in the Brazilian defense.

Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Thiago Silva is the veteran of the Olympic team, aged 27, and will provide excellent leadership and direction from the back throughout the campaign.

According to WhoScored.com, Silva finished with the second-highest average match rating last season for AC Milan. He led the club in interceptions, clearances, average passes per game and passing completion percentage.

Other Notable Stars

As far as other notable inclusions are concerned, it's hard to look past Brazil's attack, which features some of the most dominant and dynamic strikers throughout world football.

Led by Hulk, Brazil will also bring AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato (pictured), Internacional star Leandro Damiao as well as exciting youngster Neymar to London.

Neymar is touted by many as the most exciting prospect in world football after starring for Santos last season. His on-the-ball skills and finishing abilities will no doubt be on full display in London this summer.

Potential Starting Lineup

Courtesy of LineupBuilder.com, I've created a potential starting side for Brazil that we could see throughout the tournament.

Brazil is one of the favorites to win it all. It remains to be seen whether or not the team can follow that through and clinch its first Olympic football title.

What do you think about Brazil's Olympic team?

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