The weekend was gold for Brazilian sports fans, as Brazil’s men’s football (soccer) team and men’s volleyball team were able to pull together and win the top prize in their respective sports, the Olympic gold medal.
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The gold medal remained the only worldwide honour evading Brazil, and the 24-year-old clinched it with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout victory over Germany.
The entire nation of Brazil celebrates their first ever gold medal in Olympic football courtesy of Neymar and the men’s football team.
“Brazil could have won (gold) medals in everything but if it hadn’t been in football then nothing would have counted”, said jubilant fan Leila Lopes da Silva, 70, to summarise the mood of a jubilant nation.
Germany refused to be intimidated in the hostile cauldron of Rio’s Maracana stadium but faced an uphill task against 11 Brazilian players roared on by 80,000 vengeful and passionate fans.
Still, the Olympics started disastrously for the hosts. In the aftermath, Neymar expressed his intention to let someone else lead the team going forward.
Neymar missed the darkest day in Brazil’s football history due to two broken bones in his back suffered during a bruising quarter-final win over Colombia.
Brazil’s emotional journey to the semi-finals of a home Olympic Games had the potential to change the perception of women’s football in the soccer-mad country for generations, according to coach Vadao. More than just winning gold, Micale restored what he described as Brazil’s “joga bonito” (beautiful football) essence.
China returned to Olympic tournament again after 2008.
“It was an honour to be captain, but from today I am no longer captain”, he told SporTV. “To send the message to Tite that from now he can look for another captain”, added Neymar.
Neymar has won the Champions League with Barcelona, the Copa Libertadores when at Santos and the 2013 Confederations Cup with the national team. Brazil’s break came during the middle of the first half when Neymar was able to score a goal.
“I am smiling all the time because I am proud of what we achieved”. Sergio Rodriguez made two free throws with 5.4 seconds left and the Spaniards, who captured silver in 2008 at Beijing and the London Games, got the defensive stop they needed.
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Underlining their fighting spirit, Meyer staged a demonstrative celebration in the corner, right in front of a sea of yellow-shirted Brazil fans, after slotting in his goal from the edge of the box.
