Rio de Janeiro, June 17 (Xinhua) -- André Jardin, head coach of the Brazilian men's national Olympic team, announced the 18-man roster for the Tokyo Olympic Games on the 17th, and the 38-year-old Alves is one of the three overage players.
Alves missed the Copa America with a knee injury. The other two players over the age of 24 are Diego Carlos from Sevilla FC Spain and goalkeeper Santos from Atlético Parana in Brazil.
Commenting on Alves' selection, Jardine said: "There are players who are role models for everyone and no one compares to Daniel (Alves) at this point. He has had a history of countless victories and won championships. When he doesn't play in the Copa America we make a decision, he can bring experience, wisdom, leadership to everyone. The Olympics need players like that. ”
Neymar, who was the most vocal, did not make the selection, Jardin explained, as his Paris Saint-Germain team has made it clear that he will not let Neymar enter the Olympics.
As a Rio Olympic champion, Jardim said the team's goal is to defend the title.
According to the arrangements of the Brazilian Football Association, the members of the national Olympic team will assemble in Sao Paulo on July 1, go to Doha, the capital of Qatar, on July 8, where they will train for a few days, and travel to Japan on the 15th.
Brazil's first rival at the Tokyo Olympics was their rival Germany in the rio final, and the match between the two teams will take place on July 22, along with Côte d'Ivoire and Saudi Arabia.
The list of the Brazilian Olympic team is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Santos (Athletic Parana), Breno (Gremio);
Defenders: Daniel Alves (São Paulo), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras), Alana (Atlético Mineiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Nino (Fluminense), Diego Carlos (Sevilla);
Midfielders: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Bruno Magalhães (Lyon), Gilson (flamenco), Claudinho (Bragantino), Mateus Enrique (Gremio);
Forwards: Mateus Cunha (Hertha Berlin), Malcom (Zenit), Anthony (Ajax), Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedro (flamenco).
Source: Xinhua News Agency