Although fans from Italy, Spain, Germany, and Argentina may disagree, Brazil is the most storied and successful international football team of all-time. With their quick and deceptive foot-skills, the Brazilians have been a powerhouse in international football for decades, as their 5 World Cups are more than any other nation.
Despite the fact that Brazil has historically been the most feared and dominate international football team, their results have not been great in recent years.
The Brazilians lost to France in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup and fell once again in the same round in South Africa to the Dutch with former captain Dunga at the helm. Under current boss Mano Menezes, the green and yellow have not feared much better, as the side lost in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America to Paraguay (their earliest exit from the tournament since 2001).
Brazil's poor results have led to mounting pressure on the team to perform well in the Olympics, especially with the upcoming 2014 World Cup taking place in their home country. Although the Brazilians are dying to take home gold in the Olympics, as it is the only international football tournament that they have never won, the Olympics are even more crucial for the green and yellow because of the huge competition that will be taking place in their country in two years time.
Due to the fact that players under the age of 23 except for three over age exceptions are the only ones that are allowed to participate in Olympic soccer, the competition is not often seen as all too significant. Since most national teams don't rely on too many younger players for their senior squad, the Olympics may not look like a huge barometer for the progress of a national team.
For example, aside from left back Jordi Alba, Spain's entire Euro 2012 championship team will be over the age of 23 by the end of this calendar year. Also, just two players on Uruguay's 2011 Copa America championship team were under the age of 23 at the time of the competition.
But things are much different when you look at Brazil, as the national team is undergoing a youth movement. Brazil has made a transition from the days of Ronaldinho to what the future holds for younger stars like Neymar.
Brazil's 2010 World Cup roster was highly criticized for not including enough youth and quickness. Dunga's squad of players such as Juan, Gilberto Melo, Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, and Luis Fabiano has been completely changed in favor of younger talent such as Rafael, Marcelo, Sandro, Lucas Moura, Oscar, Ganso, Hulk, Neymar, Alexandre Pato, and Leandro Damiao.
It is almost unfathomable to think that Brazil can have so much talent that is so young in age. European clubs are dying for all of these young Brazilian stars, which shows how much talent these youngsters possess.
Manchester United is strongly interested in 19-year old midfielder Lucas Moura, as the Red Devils are willing to pay his club Sao Paulo 30 million euros for his services. Attacking midfielder and classic number 10 Oscar, who is just 20 years old, is being linked to Chelsea in a 25 million euro transfer from Internacional. Brazilian winger Hulk has been linked to a move to Chelsea for over a year for a transfer fee around 40 to 50 million euros. Leandro Damiao, a talented striker for Brazil, has been a target of Tottenham, who are willing to give Internacional about 15 million euros for the 22 year old. Finally, if a team were to try and swoop Neymar, who Pele has said is better than Lionel Messi, they would have to offer around 70 to 80 million euros for the gifted striker.
Since most of Brazil's Olympic squad is going to be competing in the 2014 World Cup, it is vital that they take home gold in the competition. Considering that their talent level is head and heals ahead of the other teams in the competition, anything less then a gold medal will be a complete failure.
Not that Brazil need any help, but their group looks pretty promising, as they should have no trouble with Egypt, Belarus, and New Zealand.
But the competition will not be a cakewalk for the green and yellow. If there are no major upsets, the Brazilians will likely meet Great Britain or Uruguay in the semifinals and then square off against Spain, which won the 2011 U-21 European Championship, in the finals.
Although Britain's senior squad has been disappointing for decades, their Olympic roster actually looks quite strong and they will also have the added boost of playing in their home country. With a strong midfield with Aaron Ramsey and Tom Cleverley and speed on the wings and up front with Scott Sinclair and Daniel Sturridge, the question for the British will be how their back line holds up.
Uruguay's squad, which qualified for the Olympics by edging out Argentina in the 2011 South American Youth Championship, is dangerous as well. Their outstanding striker duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez will be a threat for every team they take on.
Finally, Spain are a difficult opponent in any football competition that they are in. Their three over age players, Javi Martinez, Juan Mata, and Adrian Lopez, will likely provide support for their talented squad including midfielders Isco and Oriol Romeu as well as talented winger from Athletic Bilbao Iker Muniain.
After silver medals in 1984 and 1988 and bronze medals in 1996 and 2008, Brazil look poised to finally capture the elusive Olympic soccer gold. Anything less than a victory will likely cause Mano Menezes his job, especially considering how good this Brazilian Olympic team should be.
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