Posted on August 11, 2012
By Michael Lewis
TropiGol.com Editor
LONDON — Neymar and his Brazilian teammates might wind up parading around Wembley Stadium with gold medals hanging from their necks on Saturday, but he enters the game as a humble athlete.
Brazil, which meets Mexico in the men’s gold medal match, a jewel that is missing from its championship collection.
“We know so many other great Brazilians like Ronaldo have tried and failed to win gold,” Neymar said. “I know how difficult it has been. If it was easy, many Brazilian greats would have won it by now and we would have 20 medals. That’s the proof we have it’s a difficult competition to win.
“Today, we are representing them all. We are going to have a chance to give happiness to all past players and the fans if we win gold.”
The Brazilians have won five World Cups, youth championships and the FIFA Confederations Cups among their spoils through the years. They have reached the Olympic final twice — and fell both times — in 1984 and 1988.
This team just might break the drought, but Neymar did not think this team was better than previous Brazilian sides.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I am sure all the previous teams that reached the final were prepared. Unfortunately they did not win. I am not sure we are more deserving than them. We will see on the pitch who is the best. It will be decided after 90 minutes and that is the only way we can show we are the best.”
So far, so good for Brazil, which has won all five of its matches to reach Wembley.
“I am very happy with our performances,” Neymar said. “We have gone through difficult games and have won them. Hopefully on Saturday, we will play 90 minutes and make history. I hope to be able to give a little bit more for the team, but we are in the right position. We have performed as well as we could have and we have reached our goal of reaching the final. Our goal now is to win this final.”
Photo: “Neymar: We are going to have a chance to give happiness to all past players and the fans if we win gold.”Andy Mead/YCJ
Categories: Mexico, North America, Olympic Qualifying
Tags: 2012 London Olympics, FIFA Confederations Cup, Neymar, Ronaldo, Wembley Stadium, World Cup
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