Golden goal: Brazil's Olympic dream
Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream? - CNN.comvar cnnCurrTime=new Date(1344174459000),cnnCurrHour=9,cnnCurrMin=47,cnnCurrDay="Sun",cnnIsIntl=true,clickID=212106,cnn_cvpAdpre="edition.",cnnCVPAdSectionT1="edition.cnn.com_specialreports_aimingforgold_t1",cnnCVPAdSectionInPage="edition.cnn.com_specialreports_aimingforgold_inpage",cnnShareUrl="%2F2012%2F03%2F22%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-brazil-olympics-anderson-rafael%2Findex.html",cnnShareTitle="Golden%20goal%3A%20Can%20boys%20from%20Brazil%20achieve%20Olympic%20dream%3F",cnnShareDesc="",cnnFirstPub=new Date('Thursday Mar 22 09:42:44 EDT 2012'),cnnSectionName="iSport",cnnSubSectionName="Football",cnnPageType="Story",cnnBrandingValue="intl.olympics.2012";cnnPartnerValue="";cnnOmniBranding="Olympics 2012",cnnAuthor="Paul Gittings, CNN",disqus_category_id=207582,disqus_identifier="/2012/03/22/sport/football/football-brazil-olympics-anderson-rafael/index.html",disqus_title="Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream?",cnn_edtnswtchver="edition",cnnIsStoryPage=true,cnn_metadata = {};cnn_metadata = {section: ["iSport","Football"],friendly_name: "Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream?",template_type: "content",template_type_content: "gallery",business: {cnn: {page: {author: "Paul Gittings, CNN",broadcast_franchise: "",video_embed_count: "4",publish_date: "2012/03/22",photo_gallery: "Olympic gold eludes Brazil's football stars "},video: {video_player: ""}}},user: {authenticated: "",segment: {age: "",zip: "",gender: ""}}};if (typeof(cnnOmniPartner) !== "undefined") {if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content === "") {cnn_metadata.template_type_content = "partner";}}var photo_gallery = "Olympic gold eludes Brazil's football stars ";Event.observe(window,'load',function(){window.setTimeout("cnn_strysavemrv()",500);});function cnn_strysavemrv(){saveMrvUrl('Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream? - CNN.com',cnn_strysaveurl);}if(typeof CNN==='undefined'){var CNN=Class.create();}CNN.expandableMap=[''];function _loginOptions(){};var disqus_url=(typeof disqus_identifier!=='undefined') ? 'http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/sport/football/football-brazil-olympics-anderson-rafael/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']); 
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Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream?By Paul Gittings, CNNMarch 23, 2012 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(8);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Brazil\'s Olympic mission", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
Anderson, left, and his Brazil teammates try to take the ball off Lionel Messi in the 2008 Olympic semifinal against Argentina, who won 3-0 and went on to take gold.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Brazil\'s Olympic mission"}Brazil star Ronaldinho greets Argentina great Diego Maradona after receiving his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona star has been included as an overage player in Brazil's provisional squad for London 2012.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Only bronze in Beijing"}Future World Cup winner Romario battles for the ball in the Brazilian Olympic team's 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 tournament in Seoul. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Seoul destroying"}Romario was the toast of Brazil in 1994 when the Samba Boys won the World Cup for the fourth time, beating Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final in the United States. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Romario\'s reward"}Brazil's women's team has also suffered Olympic despair, losing the 2008 final to the U.S. after taking silver in Athens four years previously. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Girls from Brazil also miss out"}Brazil football legend Pele sheds tears as he carries the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on its visit to Rio. Brazil will host the Summer Games in 2016.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Tears of a football legend"}
Pele was a 17-year-old member of the Brazil side which triumphed in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden -- the first of a record five titles, hence the team nickname "Pentacampeoes" (five-time champions). cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"\'Pentacampeoes\'"}
However, Olympic success has eluded the "Samba Boys." Ronaldo, here helping a Japan player to his feet during Brazil's 1-0 loss, won a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996. He went on to win the World Cup in 2002 and become the tournament's record overall scorer.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Atlanta anguish"}HIDE CAPTIONBrazil's Olympic missionOnly bronze in BeijingSeoul destroyingRomario's rewardGirls from Brazil also miss outTears of a football legend'Pentacampeoes'Atlanta anguish<<<
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8>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Olympic gold eludes Brazil's football stars ");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSBrazil favorites for the Olympic football tournament at London 2012 OlympicsFive-time World Cup winners have never won Olympic gold in national sportManchester star Anderson says winning gold on a par with winning the World CupTeammate Rafael da Silva in provisional 52-man Brazil squad for Games
Brazil's quest for Olympic glory"It's about the children who maybe don't have enough food at home, who don't have a dad or a mum, but they go outside to play football even with bare feet and they feel joy and happiness to do it. It happened to me and many of my friends when we were growing up.var currExpandable="expand16";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='sports/2012/02/29/darlington-brazil-football-neymar-intv.cnn';mObj.lgImage="C:\Program Files\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\INDONESIA IS THE BEST\Football\120229044230-brazil-neymar-kick2-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand16Store=mObj;
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Brazilian boom benefits football "Football helps a lot of people in Brazil. If you took football away from Brazilians, you would be affecting the nation's heart."A rocky road to Rio and the 2014 World Cup?That's why it's a matter of some national concern that Brazil, a football-mad country with a seemingly neverending conveyor belt of talent, has never won the Olympic tournament -- not with its men, or its also highly-talented women.And with Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, and the Olympics two years after that, the pressure is on.The 2008 Beijing Games provided the latest disappointments, with a men's team sporting the likes of two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho and future AC Milan star Alexandre Pato crashing out in the semifinals to Argentina, losing 3-0 and ending up with the bronze medal.The women's side, including five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, had to settle for silver for the second straight Olympics.Work and play - Brazil's samba star Neymar has it allMidfielder Anderson, who played in the Argentina match, admits that the failure hurt -- and not just because Brazil's South American archrivals went on to claim the gold medal for the second successive time."We had hoped to win the gold medal because we had great players like Ronaldinho, Pato ... I was there, other stars as well, but we couldn't do it," he said."To be honest it didn't hurt more to lose to Argentina. What hurt is that we lost the chance to win a gold medal that we could take home and show our family and our kids. That's what hurt the most. We were sad, our families were sad. To me and the rest of the squad it was very sad."Anderson is unlikely to be part of Brazil's bid for golden glory at London 2012, having been left out of coach Mano Menezes' provisional 52-man squad.To win a football gold medal at the Olympics for Brazil would be like winning the World Cup
AndersonBooming Brazil lures immigrant workersIt's a powerful lineup which includes rising stars Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, who both ply their trade for Santos in the Brazilian league but have been linked with several top European clubs.Ronaldinho, Chelsea defender David Luiz and Barcelona's Dani Alves are among the more established stars hoping to be named as one of the three players aged over 23 who will be allowed in the final 18-man squad.Anderson knows the pressure of expectation on their shoulders, and what winning the tournament would mean to the players and his nation."To win a football gold medal at the Olympics for Brazil would be like winning the World Cup," he said. "I am really hoping and praying that we can do it."Sugar seats' at Brazil's 2014 World Cup?Anderson's Manchester United teammate Rafael da Silva has also been picked, and will likely be battling Alves for the right-back berth.The 21-year-old has a burning ambition to be part of Brazil's first gold medal-winning team."You can't even describe how much I want it -- I really want to play these Olympics, I want to win them," Rafael told CNN. "It will be an enormous pride to win this for Brazil."You can't even describe how much I want it...I really want to play these Olympics, I want to win them
Rafael da SilvaHis twin brother Fabio, also part of United first-team squad, may have to wait to achieve his Olympic dream after being left out of the provisional squad."We started having this dream since we were about 10 years old," Fabio said,"because Brazil never had won this medal and I would talk to my brother and say, 'It would be great for us to get that gold medal, that Brazil never had.' "FIFA beer battle about cash, not gameThis time the Olympic tournament will be missing Argentina, who failed to qualify, but Anderson is warning against complacency."Of course Argentina have great players and are a great team, but there are other teams we must worry about because at the Olympics you never know what you are going to get since every nation wants to take home a medal. It's a tough competition, a great competition," he said.Fabio agreed: "There are also strong sides coming from Africa and even the Great Britain team, they have good players and they have home advantage."Rafael chipped in: "Imagine playing against Britain in the UK... Imagine... Old Trafford... semifinals!"Before the excitement of the Olympics, United's Brazilian contingent have their parts to play in bringing a record-extending 20th English title to Old Trafford.There are also strong sides coming from Africa and even the Great Britain team, they have good players and they have home advantage
Fabio da SilvaTeixeira quits as Brazilian football chiefNeighbors Manchester City provide the main challenge, having headed the standings for much of the season until United took over at the top earlier this month."City are now a real contender while we have had a history of success for many years," said Anderson."We have had a lot of injuries but now we have most people fit and when that is the case we are very hard to beat."The top two meet at City's Etihad Stadium on April 30 in what many believe will be the EPL title decider, but Rafael believes the games before that showdown will be equally decisive."We need to think about winning games that we have, particularly away from home. When it's closer, we can start thinking about the game against them, which it will be a great match of course," he saidAll three Brazilians are indebted to the guidance they have received from legendary United manager Alex Ferguson in their time with the Red Devils."He's a manager with a lot of experience and he passes on a little bit of everything he says," was Fabio's verdict."He tries his best to be honest with the players. I think that's really important," said Rafael.Anderson said that when the 70-year-old finally decides to retire, it will leave a massive void."When Ferguson leaves Manchester United, the club will miss him a lot. He is fundamental for this club. When he leaves, I am telling you, people will be so sad because he is special, he is different. His history of success shows that."Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo var OB_permalink='http://edition.cnn.com'+location.pathname;var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';var OB_Template="cnnedition";if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="cnnad_createAd("734222","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=336x850_rgt&cnn_intl_rollup=special_reports&cnn_intl_section=aiming_for_gold&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","850","336");cnnad_registerSpace(734222,336,850);
Part of complete coverage on London 2012 OlympicsLondon 2012: Live blog
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EDITION: INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV: CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport World Sport Home Olympics Football Golf Tennis Motorsport Horse Racing Sailing /* STORY PAGE SPECIFIC CSS */.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr { background:#fff url('http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bg_speccov_hdr.gif') 0px 0px repeat-x; }.cnn_stryspcvh1 { position:relative; height:74px;background:transparent url('http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/ssi/story/3.0/banner/intl.olympics.2012.inc/aiming_for_gold.story.jpg') 50% -1px no-repeat;overflow:hidden; }.cnn_stryspcvh2 { font:bold 10px/12px arial;color:#666;padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspcvh3 { font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight:bold; font-size:18px; line-height:21px; }.cnn_stryspcvh4 { position:absolute; z-index:1000; float:left;margin:30px 0 0 10px;display:inline; }.cnn_stryspcvh5 { float:right;margin:30px 10px 0 0;display:inline;text-align:right; }.cnn_stryspcvh20 { padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspccvrgebot { height:3px; background:#e6e6e6; }.cnn_stryspccvh6 { width:100%; height:74px; text-align:center; left:0; }.cnn_stryspccvh6 a { display:block; margin:0 auto; width:451px; height:74px; } cnnad_createAd("632530","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=88x31_spon_aimingforgold&cnn_intl_rollup=special_reports&cnn_intl_section=aiming_for_gold&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","31","143");cnnad_registerSpace(632530,143,31);Part of complete coverage onOlympics 2012Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo Golden goal: Can boys from Brazil achieve Olympic dream?By Paul Gittings, CNNMarch 23, 2012 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(8);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Brazil\'s Olympic mission", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}Anderson, left, and his Brazil teammates try to take the ball off Lionel Messi in the 2008 Olympic semifinal against Argentina, who won 3-0 and went on to take gold.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Brazil\'s Olympic mission"}Brazil star Ronaldinho greets Argentina great Diego Maradona after receiving his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona star has been included as an overage player in Brazil's provisional squad for London 2012.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Only bronze in Beijing"}Future World Cup winner Romario battles for the ball in the Brazilian Olympic team's 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 tournament in Seoul. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Seoul destroying"}Romario was the toast of Brazil in 1994 when the Samba Boys won the World Cup for the fourth time, beating Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final in the United States. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Romario\'s reward"}Brazil's women's team has also suffered Olympic despair, losing the 2008 final to the U.S. after taking silver in Athens four years previously. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Girls from Brazil also miss out"}Brazil football legend Pele sheds tears as he carries the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on its visit to Rio. Brazil will host the Summer Games in 2016.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Tears of a football legend"}
Brazil star Ronaldinho greets Argentina great Diego Maradona after receiving his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona star has been included as an overage player in Brazil's provisional squad for London 2012.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Only bronze in Beijing"}
Future World Cup winner Romario battles for the ball in the Brazilian Olympic team's 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 tournament in Seoul. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Seoul destroying"}
Romario was the toast of Brazil in 1994 when the Samba Boys won the World Cup for the fourth time, beating Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final in the United States. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Romario\'s reward"}
Brazil's women's team has also suffered Olympic despair, losing the 2008 final to the U.S. after taking silver in Athens four years previously. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Girls from Brazil also miss out"}
Brazil football legend Pele sheds tears as he carries the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on its visit to Rio. Brazil will host the Summer Games in 2016.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Tears of a football legend"}Pele was a 17-year-old member of the Brazil side which triumphed in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden -- the first of a record five titles, hence the team nickname "Pentacampeoes" (five-time champions). cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"\'Pentacampeoes\'"}However, Olympic success has eluded the "Samba Boys." Ronaldo, here helping a Japan player to his feet during Brazil's 1-0 loss, won a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996. He went on to win the World Cup in 2002 and become the tournament's record overall scorer.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Atlanta anguish"}HIDE CAPTIONBrazil's Olympic missionOnly bronze in BeijingSeoul destroyingRomario's rewardGirls from Brazil also miss outTears of a football legend'Pentacampeoes'Atlanta anguish<<<12345678>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Olympic gold eludes Brazil's football stars ");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSBrazil favorites for the Olympic football tournament at London 2012 OlympicsFive-time World Cup winners have never won Olympic gold in national sportManchester star Anderson says winning gold on a par with winning the World CupTeammate Rafael da Silva in provisional 52-man Brazil squad for Games(CNN) -- Football is part of the lifeblood of the people of Brazil, who have seen their heroes lift the FIFA World Cup a record five times since 1958.
From the legendary Pele, who inspired that initial success in Sweden and also played in the 1962 and 1970 winning teams, through to the eras of Romario, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, ordinary Brazilians have delighted in their exploits.Because Brazil's "Samba Boys" don't just win, they win in style, capturing the imagination of a population often struggling with poverty and inequality."I would say it is all about the joy football brings," Manchester United's Brazilian star Anderson told CNN.var currExpandable="expand15";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='sports/2012/03/22/aiming-for-gold-olympics-brazil-football.cnn';mObj.lgImage="C:\Program Files\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\INDONESIA IS THE BEST\Football\120322030814-aiming-for-gold-olympics-brazil-football-00032713-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand15Store=mObj;Brazil's quest for Olympic glory"It's about the children who maybe don't have enough food at home, who don't have a dad or a mum, but they go outside to play football even with bare feet and they feel joy and happiness to do it. It happened to me and many of my friends when we were growing up.var currExpandable="expand16";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='sports/2012/02/29/darlington-brazil-football-neymar-intv.cnn';mObj.lgImage="C:\Program Files\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\INDONESIA IS THE BEST\Football\120229044230-brazil-neymar-kick2-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand16Store=mObj;Neymar dealing with the pressurevar currExpandable="expand26";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='sports/2012/02/15/brazil-football-finance.cnn';mObj.lgImage="C:\Program Files\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\INDONESIA IS THE BEST\Football\120216122811-brazil-football-finance-00005608-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand26Store=mObj;Brazil's talent staying at home var currExpandable="expand36";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.source='business/2012/02/07/darlington-brazil-football-finances.cnn';mObj.lgImage="C:\Program Files\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\INDONESIA IS THE BEST\Football\120207060336-brazil-fc-neymar-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand36Store=mObj;Brazilian boom benefits football "Football helps a lot of people in Brazil. If you took football away from Brazilians, you would be affecting the nation's heart."A rocky road to Rio and the 2014 World Cup?That's why it's a matter of some national concern that Brazil, a football-mad country with a seemingly neverending conveyor belt of talent, has never won the Olympic tournament -- not with its men, or its also highly-talented women.And with Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, and the Olympics two years after that, the pressure is on.The 2008 Beijing Games provided the latest disappointments, with a men's team sporting the likes of two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho and future AC Milan star Alexandre Pato crashing out in the semifinals to Argentina, losing 3-0 and ending up with the bronze medal.The women's side, including five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, had to settle for silver for the second straight Olympics.Work and play - Brazil's samba star Neymar has it allMidfielder Anderson, who played in the Argentina match, admits that the failure hurt -- and not just because Brazil's South American archrivals went on to claim the gold medal for the second successive time."We had hoped to win the gold medal because we had great players like Ronaldinho, Pato ... I was there, other stars as well, but we couldn't do it," he said."To be honest it didn't hurt more to lose to Argentina. What hurt is that we lost the chance to win a gold medal that we could take home and show our family and our kids. That's what hurt the most. We were sad, our families were sad. To me and the rest of the squad it was very sad."Anderson is unlikely to be part of Brazil's bid for golden glory at London 2012, having been left out of coach Mano Menezes' provisional 52-man squad.To win a football gold medal at the Olympics for Brazil would be like winning the World CupAndersonBooming Brazil lures immigrant workersIt's a powerful lineup which includes rising stars Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, who both ply their trade for Santos in the Brazilian league but have been linked with several top European clubs.Ronaldinho, Chelsea defender David Luiz and Barcelona's Dani Alves are among the more established stars hoping to be named as one of the three players aged over 23 who will be allowed in the final 18-man squad.Anderson knows the pressure of expectation on their shoulders, and what winning the tournament would mean to the players and his nation."To win a football gold medal at the Olympics for Brazil would be like winning the World Cup," he said. "I am really hoping and praying that we can do it."Sugar seats' at Brazil's 2014 World Cup?Anderson's Manchester United teammate Rafael da Silva has also been picked, and will likely be battling Alves for the right-back berth.The 21-year-old has a burning ambition to be part of Brazil's first gold medal-winning team."You can't even describe how much I want it -- I really want to play these Olympics, I want to win them," Rafael told CNN. "It will be an enormous pride to win this for Brazil."You can't even describe how much I want it...I really want to play these Olympics, I want to win them
Rafael da SilvaHis twin brother Fabio, also part of United first-team squad, may have to wait to achieve his Olympic dream after being left out of the provisional squad."We started having this dream since we were about 10 years old," Fabio said,"because Brazil never had won this medal and I would talk to my brother and say, 'It would be great for us to get that gold medal, that Brazil never had.' "FIFA beer battle about cash, not gameThis time the Olympic tournament will be missing Argentina, who failed to qualify, but Anderson is warning against complacency."Of course Argentina have great players and are a great team, but there are other teams we must worry about because at the Olympics you never know what you are going to get since every nation wants to take home a medal. It's a tough competition, a great competition," he said.Fabio agreed: "There are also strong sides coming from Africa and even the Great Britain team, they have good players and they have home advantage."Rafael chipped in: "Imagine playing against Britain in the UK... Imagine... Old Trafford... semifinals!"Before the excitement of the Olympics, United's Brazilian contingent have their parts to play in bringing a record-extending 20th English title to Old Trafford.There are also strong sides coming from Africa and even the Great Britain team, they have good players and they have home advantage
Fabio da SilvaTeixeira quits as Brazilian football chiefNeighbors Manchester City provide the main challenge, having headed the standings for much of the season until United took over at the top earlier this month."City are now a real contender while we have had a history of success for many years," said Anderson."We have had a lot of injuries but now we have most people fit and when that is the case we are very hard to beat."The top two meet at City's Etihad Stadium on April 30 in what many believe will be the EPL title decider, but Rafael believes the games before that showdown will be equally decisive."We need to think about winning games that we have, particularly away from home. When it's closer, we can start thinking about the game against them, which it will be a great match of course," he saidAll three Brazilians are indebted to the guidance they have received from legendary United manager Alex Ferguson in their time with the Red Devils."He's a manager with a lot of experience and he passes on a little bit of everything he says," was Fabio's verdict."He tries his best to be honest with the players. I think that's really important," said Rafael.Anderson said that when the 70-year-old finally decides to retire, it will leave a massive void."When Ferguson leaves Manchester United, the club will miss him a lot. He is fundamental for this club. When he leaves, I am telling you, people will be so sad because he is special, he is different. His history of success shows that."
Share this on:FacebookTwitterDiggdeliciousredditMySpaceStumbleUponLinkedInViadeo var OB_permalink='http://edition.cnn.com'+location.pathname;var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';var OB_Template="cnnedition";if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="cnnad_createAd("734222","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=336x850_rgt&cnn_intl_rollup=special_reports&cnn_intl_section=aiming_for_gold&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","850","336");cnnad_registerSpace(734222,336,850);Part of complete coverage on London 2012 OlympicsLondon 2012: Live blogCatch up with all the latest news, photos and comments from the London 2012 Olympic Games in CNN's live blog.London 2012: Results and ScheduleStay up to date with CNN's real-time coverage of all the results, schedules and medals of the 2012 Olympic Games. iReport: What's your Olympic story?iReport contributors around the world are documenting the Olympics. Send your images and videos to join the story.Join the Twitter conversationAdd #cnnolympics to your tweets to have your say on all things London 2012.Day 8: The best photos of the OlympicsAugust 5, 2012 -- Updated 1015 GMT (1815 HKT)The Olympics' swimming and rowing programs came to a golden climax while the track and field events provided home-crowd delight.Can Bolt make Olympic history?August 4, 2012 -- Updated 1220 GMT (2020 HKT)It is the question that has followed Usain Bolt for the past four years, the answer to which will not truly be known until Sunday's 100m final.The Underdogs: Olympics' true heroes August 4, 2012 -- Updated 1421 GMT (2221 HKT)While Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt grab the headlines, little-known athletes from around the world keep alive the original spirit of the Olympics. The first Olympic speed queenAugust 3, 2012 -- Updated 1930 GMT (0330 HKT)The first woman to win Olympic gold almost died in a plane crash, but remarkably returned to run again for the U.S. in 1936.Hunger Games: Eat like an OlympianAthletes spend years eating the right foods ... and then must resist the free fast food in the Olympic village. How do they do it?Games hero keeps medals hiddenAugust 3, 2012 -- Updated 1656 GMT (0056 HKT)Chile has only ever won 13 medals in the history of the Olympics -- and three of them are tucked safely away in Fernando Gonzalez's closet.An audience with Olympic championsCNN's Patrick Snell fulfilled a career-long dream by interviewing tennis' glamor couple, Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, for Open Court.Play the CNN jigsaw gameAugust 2, 2012 -- Updated 1100 GMT (1900 HKT)In keeping with the Olympic spirit of overcoming challenge with determination why not take on the test of the CNN jigsaw? Olympic Park's red 'roller coaster'August 2, 2012 -- Updated 1104 GMT (1904 HKT)It may look more amusement park than Olympic Park, but the twisting tower at the heart of the London 2012 Games site is no helter-skelter.Catching drug cheats at London 2012August 1, 2012 -- Updated 1908 GMT (0308 HKT)The Olympic ethos may be centered on the pursuit of athletic excellence, but performance-enhancing drugs offer a way for competitors to gain glory via unfair means.'Eric the Eel' dreams of Olympic returnJuly 31, 2012 -- Updated 1300 GMT (2100 HKT)Eric Moussambani swam the worst 100m time in the history of the Olympics. Now 34, 'Eric the Eel' is hoping to return to the pool at Rio 2016.Social media: Onside for Olympics?July 28, 2012 -- Updated 1324 GMT (2124 HKT)The 140 million Twitter users are creating new challenges at the first "social media Olympics." The evolving Olympic athleteSince the advent of the modern-day Olympics in 1896, athletes have redefined limits in pursuit of the Olympic ideal: "Faster, higher, stronger." In photos: Olympics Opening CeremonyAugust 2, 2012 -- Updated 1825 GMT (0225 HKT)All the sights from the opening of the 30th Olympiad in London..cnn_strycrcntrnwsp .cnn_mtpmore { padding:10px 0px 1px 0px; }.cnn_stryccnwsp2 .cnn_stryccnwsp3 { width:100% }Most PopularToday's five most popular storiesOpposition: Syrian forces deploy heavy weapons as battle for Aleppo intensifies Syrian forces, rebels fight to control Aleppo broadcast centerLollapalooza coming to Israel in 2013His other car is on MarsOlympic badminton players disqualified for trying to losecnnad_createAd("323543","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=300x150_rgt&cnn_intl_rollup=special_reports&cnn_intl_section=aiming_for_gold&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","150","300");cnnad_registerSpace(323543,300,150); Loading weather data ...
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