By Our Reporter
THE Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced the 22-man squad that will make up the Olympic team for friendlies against Nigeria, reports NaijaSportsXtra.
The squad consists of Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira and Lazio’s Felipe Anderson and a number of high-profile stars playing in Europe.
The squad also included Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara, with the CBF confirming they had been in contact with the Spanish champions regarding the availability of the 23-year-old who is currently recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in September."Regarding Rafinha Alcantara, the technical committee of the Olympic team have been in contact with the player’s club are awaiting his release for training or matches, pending further advice from Barcelona in relation to his continued recovery,” read a CBF statement.
The Selecao are hoping to claim their first ever goal medal at the Rio Olympics later this year and the under-23 squad will be joined by three overage players.
The Olympic Selecao will face Nigeria on March 24 at the Estadio Kleber Andrade in Cariacica, Espirito Santo, before meeting South Africa on March 27 at the Estadio Rei Pele in Maceio, Alagoas.
Brazil Olympic squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Ederson (Benfica), Matheus Vidotto (Corinthians)
Defenders: Doria (Granada), Rodrigo Ely (Milan), Wallace (Monaco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Fabinho (Monaco), Zeca (Santos), Wendell (Bayern Leverkusen), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Rodrigo Dourado (Internacional), Thiago Maia (Santos), Matheus Salles (Palmeiras), Rafinha Alcantara (Barcelona), Andreas Pereira (Manchester United), Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Alisson (Cruzeiro), Malcom (Bordeaux), Gabriel (Santos), Luciano (Corinthians), Luan (Gremio)
