HOLA!

Brazil's sensational attacker Neymar will be one of the main attractions in the London 2012 Olympics.

After all, this is the best stage for the 20-year-old Santos superstar to produce some magical moments to assist Brazil to their first ever gold in the Games. And the bad news for the opponents is that he has vowed to do whatever he can to see this target fulfilled.

Neymar is inspired by what he saw in the recent Euro 2012 where Spain retained the title in grand style by thrashing Italy 4-0. The Spaniards, in the process, also created history for winning three major tournaments in a row after the successes at Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup.

He really enjoyed watching Spain's Euro 2012 triumph, admitting he was particularly enamored with the performances of the sensational Andres Iniesta.

Again the word sensational is being used here.

Neymar (right) was also impressed by Portugal attacker Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany playmaker Mesut Oezil but he felt Iniesta deserved to win the player of the tournament award.

"I really like Iniesta," Neymar told Fifa.com. "I think he's a sensational player.

"Ronaldo is really good as well, and I enjoy watching Oezil a lot, too. He's a great player and I've always been a big fan of his."

"The technical standard of Euro 2012 was very high, just as high as the World Cup. And all that was missing were teams like Brazil and Argentina."

Yes... if only Argentina and Brazil are part of Europe.

Back to the Olympics.

Neymar is confident Brazil can win the gold for the first time in their proud football history. Yes... they have already won the World Cup five times, among others.

"We've got everything we need to be champions. I think Brazil are always one of the favorites, no matter what the competition. It's always been that way. We've got a very good side too, and players with a lot of potential," he said.

Neymar is expected to be marked tightly in London but he has been working hard to raise his performance to face this challenge.

Assisting him out upfront are Hulk and Leandro Damiao who are being chased by London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham respectively. In midfield, Brazil do have two classy offensive players in Ganso and Oscar.
   
Neymar, who stands at 5ft 9in and born in Sao Paulo, is renowned for his dazzling dribbling skills and clinical finishing.

He started to play for Santos in 2009 and scored 42 goals from 88 matches. Not before long, he inevitably made debut for the Brazil senior squad at 18 and has already nine goals to show from 18 appearances.

The experience he gains at senior level will no doubt be handy at the Olympics where the tournament caters for Under-23 with three overage players being allowed.
   
Oh yes... just wonder what kind of hairstyle Neymar will be spotting this time. He has already shrugged off that 'Mohican look'.

Anyway, ‘El Loco' just can't wait for the start of the football tournament in London. Of course, it could have been better if Argentina are around as well.

The Argentines did not qualify this time after winning the gold four years ago in Beijing with Lionel Messi, Sergio 'Kun' Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Fernando Gago playing key roles.

In another development, it is sad to note that Gago, now 26, is suffering over the alleged treatment he has been receiving from his parent club Real Madrid.

If not, his agent Marcelo Lombilla would have launched a scathing attack on the Primera Liga champions.

The Argentina international midfielder's future remains up in the air after Roma refused to exercise their option to buy the player outright after his season on loan at the Olimpico.

Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Real manager Jose Mourinho, Gago is now assessing his options, but Lombilla insists a return to the Spanish capital is out of the question.

"He does not want to convince Mourinho, we know that he does not count on him," Lombilla told Deportes Cope.

"The worst thing that can happen in your life is going to a place where you are not wanted. In his last season at Real, it looked like he had scabies, and he had a hard time there.

"He does not want to go to Russia or Turkey, he is not going to play at just 'some' place.

"There was not an agreement with Roma, and we are now listening to other clubs, but we do not have any concrete offer yet."

The thing is that Gago is enjoying great form - based on his performances for Argentina in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the recent 4-3 win over Brazil in a thrilling friendly in New Jersey.
 
Well Gago is talented. There is always this possibility that he may end playing for a Serie A club or back to Primera Liga with another club.

It's not all about Mourinho or Real when it comes to football.

Adios!


- mD