For Brazil, the win goes some way to eradicating the painful memories of their home FIFA World Cup two years ago when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. But the 24-year-old superstar more than made up for his previous absence, as one of three players over 23 years old Brazil was allowed to field.
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Brazil’s goalkeeper, Weverton, saved Germany’s fifth penaltyand then Neymar, Brazil’s marquee player, stepped up to score the decisive goal.
Neymar finally succeeded where the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho had failed when he coolly slotted into the top corner to edge a penalty shootout 5-4 against Germany at a packed Maracana on Saturday after a 1-1 draw.
Brazil men’s football are Rio 2016 Olympics gold winners thanks to the brilliance of their captain, Neymar. “It was the Olympics but we needed to respond to the Brazilian people and we did that, we won”.
In the men’s singles event in badminton, World No.1 and three-time finalist Lee Chong Wei once again suffered a heartbreak in the final after World No.2 Chen Long of China defeated him in straight sets.
Despite the drama of extra-time and penalties, the duo clearly left an impact on Neymar who sought them out during his victory lap. But the match still had huge significance for Brazil, which had never won gold, reported the agency. He said that he will step down as the captain of the Brazil national team.
In honour of the retiring sprinting great, Neymar even adopted the “lightning bolt” celebration, whilst chants of “ole, ole, ole, Neymar” rang around Rio’s most iconic arena.
With an unforgettable kick in a thrilling summit showdown at the Maracana stadium, Neymar, probably Brazil’s biggest soccer star, gave his countrymen a moment that they will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives. The Brazilian football federation took the Olympic tournament as seriously as ever, bringing Neymar and many talented youngsters that are expected to be in the main squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Speaking to TV Globo, the Brazilian said: “I don’t take it as a pressure, it is you (the press) who say it”.
However, Neymar’s role as captain was questioned after he was sent-off in just his second competitive match in the role against Colombia at last year’s Copa America.
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However, he rounded on his critics after scoring not only Brazil’s winning penalty, but also a brilliant free-kick in the gold medal match.
