Neymar, Douglas Costa, Gabriel Jesus Named in Brazil's 2016 Rio Olympics Squad

Brazil captain Neymar has been named in the nation's squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

As reported by BBC Sport, the 24-year-old Barcelona man will lead the Selecao’s quest for gold. Along with Neymar, Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa, 25, is another player over the 23-year-old age limit, while Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass, 37, is the third. In Olympic men's football, squads must be comprised of under-23 players, with three exceptions for players above that age mark.

In addition to the aforementioned trio, exciting teenage forward Gabriel Jesus will get his chance to shine on the Rio stage, while Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos and Barcelona midfielder Rafinha will bring big-match experience to this young squad.

Jack Lang of the Daily Mirror posted the squad in full:

Rogerio Micale will manage the talented group of players after former Selecao boss Dunga was sacked recently; under his guidance, Brazil were unable to make it out of the group stage of the Copa America Centenario earlier in the summer.

After some big disappointments for the national team in the last couple of years, this a chance for the Brazil players to make amends on home soil. Indeed, it's likely the Brazilian public remains scarred after the team’s showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when they were hosts.

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The team, without an injured Neymar, were hammered 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Despite having brought Dunga back in for a second spell as boss following that humiliation, they have not recovered in the two Copa America performances since. The Barcelona man will surely be determined to set things straight.

While the Olympics may not carry much prestige in the wider football stratosphere, but it’s a competition of huge significance for Brazilians. After all, star man Neymar was rested for the Copa America with this tournament in mind.

Football journalist Tim Stillman summed up just how detrimental his omission was to the team’s chances in the United States:

Micale will be hopeful a rejuvenated Neymar lights up the Olympics. He’s played a lot of football over the last two seasons, and the Barcelona man did look jaded late in the 2015-16 term. A spell away from the game since the end of the season should ensure he’s at his vibrant best in Rio.

Also posing a huge attacking threat will be Douglas Costa. The Bayern flyer missed the Copa through injury and will want to show the improvements he made in his first season in Germany. Expect him to cause plenty of problems darting in from the right-hand side on his wicked left foot.

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Young players can emerge on the Olympic stage too, with many expecting breakthrough tournaments for some of Brazil’s best up-and-comers. The 19-year-old Jesus, linked with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, will be worth keeping an eye on:

There will be an onus on Marquinhos and Rafinha too despite their tender years. The latter, 22, has featured in many a massive game for PSG and will want to prove that he can be the Selecao’s defensive linchpin for years to come. Rafinha, 23, missed much of the campaign with Barca because of injury so should be fresh for this competition.

A Brazil team including Neymar made it to the final in London four years ago before losing out to Mexico. This year, the hosts will face South Africa, Iraq and Denmark in their group. Their first match will be against the former in Brasilia on August 4.