Rio Olympics: Brazil desperate to win first-ever Olympic gold medal and end worst run without major trophy since 1989
BRAZIL, the most successful country in World Cup history, are aiming their first ‘first’ for many years.
The Samba stars have been crowed world champions on five occasions, won the Copa America eight times and even the Confederations Cup on four occasions.
But they have NEVER won an Olympic gold medal in the men's football category — and are determined to end that run this summer on home soil.
Brazil prohibited star man, Neymar, from going to the disastrous Copa America Centenario — where their group stage elimination cost former boss Dunga his job — so he could be part of the Olympic party.
It has been a torrid nine years for the Samba stars since their last major honour.
Since their 2007 Copa America victory in Colombia, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup and famously humiliated 7-1 by Germany in front of their own fans at the semi-final stage four years later.
It was even worse on the continental tournament front as two quarter-final KOs and a group stage elimination in the three editions since they won it.
They come on the back of their longest run without a major honour since 1989.
But the talent at new boss Tite’s disposal — coupled with the dearth of quality opposition — means the football feel-good factor could soon return to Rio.
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As well as Neymar, Brazil have Manchester City-bound Gabriel Jesus, as well Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan target, Gabriel Barbosa — otherwise known as Gabigol.
With Nigeria’s John Obi-Mikel the closest any other side in the tournament has come to calling up a star player.
The biggest shock about Brazil’s failure win an Olympic tournament is that they have taken it more seriously than anyone.
Coach Mano Menezes had the likes of Neymar, Thiago Silva, Sandro, Marcelo, Oscar, Hulk and Alexandre Pato to London in 2012, but it was final heartbreak as a mistake by former Manchester United right-back, Rafael da Silva, handed Mexico gold.
It was Brazil’s third second-place finish in 12 appearances.
In 1988, Romario, Bebeto and Taffarel had settle for silver in Seoul, losing 2-1 to the Soviet Union.
Eight years later, eventual winners Nigeria were too strong for a team which consisted of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto, Romario, Aldair and Dida — despite most forming the core of a team which had been crowned world champions two years earlier.
Brazil eased off at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney with only Ronaldinho and Lucio as big names, losing to Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
They failed to qualify four years later in Athens, before facing more semi-final heartache in Beijing.
In all-star last four clash, arch-rivals, Argentina — who had Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Juan Roman Riquelme — were too strong for Pato, Diego, Ronaldinho, Lucas, Anderson, Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Co.
Brazil are at one of the lowest points in their history after recent high-profile shortcomings.
With the quality at their disposal, surely they can’t fail in Rio.
But, with great expectation comes massive pressure.
And Brazil showed two years ago, this team does not respond well to pressure.