The countdown to Rio Olympics has begun as only three days are left before the biggest sporting event on the planet gets underway in Rio. Since Brazil are hosting the Olympics this year, a lot of excitement will be generated towards the football tournament. Brazil have been the most successful footballing nation ever with 5 World Cups but have never been able to win the Olympic gold medal, having come agonizingly close in the London Olympics before losing 2-1 to Mexico in the final at Wembley.
The current Olympic format allows only three players above the age of 23 to participate in the Olympics and as a result, many eminent players of today will be missing out on the Olympics. However, there are a handful of over-aged players who can make an impact on the Olympics.
Here are five such footballers to look out for in at Rio.
#5 Oribe Peralta, Mexico
The 32-year old Club America midfielder had a memorable outing at the London Olympics four years back as he scored four goals for Mexico including both of their goals in the 2-1 defeat of Brazil in the final at Wembley which won El Tricolor their first ever gold at the Olympics.
Peralta has since made a total of 50 appearances for the national team, scoring 22 times. Mexico will be coming to Rio as the reigning Olympic champions and with high expectations. Their group consists of Germany, bronze medalists of the London Olympics South Korea, and Mexico will be expected to qualify for the quarter-finals.
With the likes of Argentina and Portugal being a probable opponent in the quarter-finals, Mexico’s chances of repeating their results of London look tougher, but the presence of Peralta make them a formidable opponent as he has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for the Mexican Olympic team. If Peralta can be as lethal as he was in the London Olympics then Mexico could well be a team to watch out for.
#4 John Obi Mikel, Nigeria
Rio 2016 will be the sixth appearance for Nigeria at the Olympics. The Nigerian football team has fared better at the Olympics compared to the World Cup as they won the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and also clinched the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Nigeria is possibly Africa’s best opportunity to put up a good showing at the Olympics and a lot of the nation’s expectations will rest on the shoulders of their current senior team captain John Obi Mikel.
The Chelsea midfielder has been one of the best African footballers of recent times, through his work rate and his ability to quickly switch from midfield to defence, something which he has done quite a few times at Chelsea.
Nigeria’s group in the Olympics comprises of London Olympics’ fourth place finisher Japan alongside Sweden and Colombia. Nigeria could face some difficulty in advancing from their group but if anyone is capable of helping them to the quarter-finals, it has to be Mikel and if he can orchestrate the midfield with full authority, then Nigeria might cause an upset or two.
#3 Sven Bender, Germany
Sven and his twin brother Lars, will be featuring for Germany in the Olympics this year and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder will be looking to make Rio 2016 a memorable journey for himself and Germany.
Bender has made a total of seven appearances for the national team between 2011 and 2013 and a good showing at Rio could help restart his international career.
The 27-year old had a decent season with Dortmund as he made 35 appearances across all competitions. Despite not being a regular starter during their Bundesliga matches, Bender was frequently utilized during their Europa league games.
Alongside twin brother Lars, Sven would be looking to command the midfield and create scoring opportunities for his teammates in addition to shielding the German backline. He will be expected to be a regular starter in all of their matches and will probably be deployed as a holding midfielder. Bender will be one of the team’s most crucial players prior to the Olympics and his presence at the middle of the park in addition to his experience could be beneficial for Die Mannschaft.
#2 Lars Bender, Germany
Seoul 1988 was the last time when the German football team played at the Olympics as West Germany. Rio 2016 will be Germany’s first appearance at the Olympics in 28 years and their first as a unified nation. A lot of Germany’s hopes will be pinned on Bayern Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender who probably has the most amount of experience with the senior national team in this squad, having represented Germany 19 times, scoring 4 goals including a goal at UEFA Euro 2012.
The Bayer Leverkusen skipper did not have a very memorable domestic season as an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the season. However, Bender has recuperated from his injury and will be looking to lead Germany to a good showing at Rio Olympics.
Germany’s group is definitely not the easiest as it consists two medallists of the London Olympics in Mexico and South Korea who won gold and bronze respectively. Bender will be looking to use his experience to his and Germany’s advantage. Coach Horst Hrubesch will be heavily banking on Bender to create opportunities for his teammates and if Bender can be at his best then he might make Rio 2016 a memorable one for the Germany football team.
#1 Neymar, Brazil
Rio 2016 will probably be Brazil’s best opportunity to win an Olympic gold and almost all of the nation’s hopes will be shouldered by their captain Neymar. The 24-year old Barcelona forward was one of Brazil’s star players at London as he scored three goals and helped Brazil to the final where they lost to Mexico.
Since London 2012, Neymar has established himself as one of the best footballers in the world through his pace, dribbling skills and his ability to play with both feet. Neymar had a terrific season with Barcelona, scoring 31 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions as Barcelona won a domestic double of a La Liga and a Copa Del Ray.
Neymar has been sensational for the national team helping them to a third consecutive FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013, where he won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament, and also helped them to the semi-finals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup before a broken vertebra ruled him out of the tournament.
Brazil have been handed a relatively easy draw alongside Denmark, Iraq and South Africa and will be expected to comfortably qualify from their group. Being the hosts, Brazil are the favorites to bag gold this time and if Neymar can be at the top of his game, then he could well inspire Brazil to their first ever Olympic gold.
