Rio Olympics 2016: 5 biggest names in football taking part in the Summer Games
The Olympic Games will take place from 5th August to 21st August in the city of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Football will also be a part of these Games for the 26th time in the history. However, with the Copa America Centenario and the UEFA Euro finishing just weeks before the Olympics, many star players in world football will not be playing in the six different cities, which will host the football matches.
Also Read: Rio Olympics 2016: History of Olympic football
But there will be a few star players who will brace the crowds in Brazil with their skills and footwork. We look at the biggest names in football who will be present at the Games with their national squads:
#1 Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar was the Brazilian wonder-kid, who emerged onto the international scene after his exploits in the 2012 London Olympic Games. He is one of the few big name players who have made a name through their performances at the Games.
The Barcelona man was not allowed to compete in the Copa America Centenario by his club. He was, however, granted the permission by the club to represent his nation in the grandest event of them all.
Neymar’s performances for his former club Santos and now for Barcelona have made him a household name worldwide. His exploits in the treble and double winning last two seasons for the Spanish club have made him one of the best players in the world right now.
He has scored a total of 70 goals for the club in 100 appearances in the last two seasons and is unarguably the biggest player in this Olympics. We will get to see if he can prove his credentials by winning the gold medal for his nation.