The Selecao will be hoping that the next Brazilian soccer star will emerge this summer. The Olympics are coming to Rio, and the Brazilian soccer team will be hoping to avoid the same traumatizing result as that of the 2014 World Cup. They'll also be looking for a bit of revenge after being the favorites in London in 2012, only to lose to Mexico in the final.
Brazil were stunned by Mexico in the final at London 2012. Photo: @officialfplusd | Twitter
The rules say teams may only place three over-23 players in their squads, so Brazil will have to count mostly on their youth potential, especially as it seems likely that Barcelona will not release Neymar for the competition. With that in mind, here are five players who could stand out for the Selecao and become the next Brazilian soccer star.
5. Lucas Silva
Lucas Silva hasn't had the greatest of times lately. He failed to make an impression at Real Madrid, and was shipped off to Marseille on loan during the summer. Rumors of him not being wanted at the club and getting kicked off the team bus have made it difficult for him to settle at the French outfit.
He's only started nine times in Ligue 1 and hasn't made an appearance since the end of January. Despite that, he does have a lot of potential, typified by the fact that Real Madrid did not include an option to buy in his loan agreement. He is a good defensive midfielder who could be the natural heir to Luiz Gustavo and the Olympics could be a good stage for him to prove his worth.
4. Fabinho
It was a really tough choice between Fabinho of Monaco and Wendell of Bayer Leverkusen, as both have been excellent fullbacks for their respective clubs. We decided that Fabinho just about edges it because he holds the slight edge in experience. He is an incredibly useful offensive weapon to have and when he starts running he is very difficult to stop. His link-up play with the likes of Gabriel and Felipe Anderson is irresistable.
3. Luan (Or Luanel Messi, as he's affectionately known)
The Gremio striker has been slowly improving his goal tally over the past couple seasons, and while he's not the finished article yet, he's a strong, quick and flashy forward that bears some comparison to Ronaldo "Il Fenomeno." Hopefully, he stands and delivers for Brazil, rather than flops like so many others (Jo, Fred, etc...)
2. Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol)
An incredibly tricky winger/striker plying his trade at Santos FC, Gabigol has an eye for a killer pass and a sensational goal. Since stepping up to the U-23's, Gabigol has scored three and assisted one in two matches, including a star role in the 5-1 demolition of the U.S. If he does well at the Olympics, a bigger club is surely going to come in and snap up this next Brazilian soccer star.
1. Felipe Anderson
Felipe Anderson has the most to prove out of anyone on this list. After an excellent breakout season at Lazio, Felipe Anderson's form has dropped off significantly. However, he has been showing some promising signs for the national team as of late, including a two goal haul against the U.S. U-23's. Having been touted as the next Brazilian soccer star, Anderson could really use the spotlight to remind everyone of why that is.
Honorable mentions:
Fred - Shakhtar Donetsk
Kenedy - Chelsea FC
Gabriel Jesus - Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras
Wendell - Bayer Leverkusen
