Brazil Olympic squad contains Neymar, Marquinhos and Rafinha but there’s no place for Chelsea’s Willian
Final 18-man squad includes some star names but the Blues winger misses out despite expressing desire to play
BRAZIL have called up Neymar, Marquinhos and Rafinha for their Olympic squad - but there's no place for Chelsea's Willian.
The Samba star, 27, previously expressed a desire to play in the Rio games ahead of the Copa America in the US.
But the Chelsea star was an ever-present in the Brazilian side humiliated when they crashed out at the Copa group stage, resulting in the firing of coach Dunga.
Before the tournament he had been eager to assure fans that the Olympics was the title he wanted - even if it meant missing the start of the Premier League - but with three overage players allowed in the squad, the Blues winger has been overlooked.
He had said: "If it were to choose one of the two [Copa America or Olympic], the Olympics is, for me the second biggest competition after the World Cup in terms of sport.
"And also because it is being held in Brazil, I would choose the Olympics.
"It is a title that Brazil does not have, so for sure I would choose the Olympics.
"I’m available to play both. Of course, the final decision is not mine".
Teams need to have three over-23 players in their squad, but the rest must be made up of young talent and the Brazilian team on paper is a strong outfit.
Neymar missed the Copa America to take part in the Rio games and is the linchpin of an attack which also features Douglas Costa of Bayern Munich and young homegrown stars Luan and Gabriel Jesus.
Elsewhere in the squad, PSG's Marquinhos adds some steel at the back and Lazio's exciting Felipe Anderson will star in midfield.
The Olympics hope to showcase young talent and the inclusion of some global stars will be a big boost to Rio organisers.
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The full Brazilian Olympic squad:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Prass (Palmeiras), Wilson (Atletico-MG).
Defenders: Luan (Vasco da Gama), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Marquinhos (PSG), Douglas Santos (Atletico-MG), Zeca (Santos), William (Internacional).
Midfielders: Rafinha (Barcelona), Rodrigo Dourado (Internacional), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk), Thiago Maia (Santos), Felipe Anderson (Lazio).
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Luan (Gremio).