In the end it will be no. Vini will not go to the Tokyo Olympics with the Brazilian team. What promised to be a soap opera between the Brazilian Confederation, Real Madrid and the young forward, 20, was a story that ended almost before it began. The CBF had sent this Friday morning a request to the white club to release Vini to play the Olympics. And, as confirmed by AS, the answer reached Rio de Janeiro in a quick and easy: no!
The refusal is a strong emotional blow to Vini, who dreamed of going to the Olympic event. AS recounted the backstage of his trip to Tokyo two years ago. Between one engagement and another, Vini made a curious request: to visit the Olympic Stadium. It was by car, but the venue was closed, under construction, in preparation for the Olympics the following year. Between fences, cones and trucks, the Brazilian stopped for a moment to take a photo. He was convinced that he would be there again. This time with the yellow shirt, with the mission of defend the Olympic gold won in 2016 by Neymar y cia.
But the refusal of Real Madrid for Rodrygo and Vinicius ended up helping another young Madridista to fulfill his dream. Forced to make changes to the final list of 22 summoned, Canarinho Olympic coach André Jardine announced his new list with lin the presence of Reinier, who was eventually released by the directive merengue to defend the Olympic gold that his country won in Rio 2016.
CBF’s last minute order really seemed like a distant dream. The white club understood that, when summoned to play the Copa América, Vinicius was released from the Olympic football tournament. And he did not like the idea of having to give it up, even if he is playing for a few minutes in the South American continental competition.
Vinicius is not the only player of Olympic age who will not go to the Olympics with Brazil. Rodrygo, Militão, Gabriel Jesus and Renan Lodi are some of the players who could also be in Tokyo 2021 and were not released. Richarlison and Douglas Luiz, who are with the senior team in the America’s Cup, were released by Everton and Aston Villa and will go to Tokyo. Like Diego Carlos, also released by Sevilla, who will occupy one of the three places for those over 24 years of age.
Brazil’s squad list for the Tokyo JJ OO
Goalkeepers
Santos * (Athletico-PR)
Brenno (Grêmio)
Lucão (Basque)
Side
Daniel Alves * (São Paulo)
Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras)
Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG)
Abner (Athletico)
Centrals
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Nino (Fluminense)
Diego Carlos * (Seville)
Bruno Fuchs (CSKA)
Midfielders
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Bruno Guimarães (Lyon)
Douglas Augusto (PAOK)
Claudinho (Red Bull Bragantino)
Matheus Henrique (Grêmio)
Reinier (Real Madrid)
Forwards
Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlim)
Martinelli (Arsenal)
Antony (Ajax)
Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen)
Richarlison (Everton)
* Footballers over 24 years old.