Rio Olympics 2016: 5 footballers whose careers kickstarted at the Olympics

#2 Neymar

Neymar couldn’t help his nation secure gold as they fell at the final hurdle to Mexico

Before signing for Barcelona in 2013, Neymar was already a superstar in Brazil. He terrorised defences with his skill and pace and scored goals for fun. He had already scored an impeccable 136 goals for his then club, Santos FC. He was destined to be one of the best, but the question was whether it would be in the streets of Brazil or to thw whole world.

It was the London Olympics in 2012 which established his reputation as one of the potential greats. At just 20, Neymar was already one of the best in the team. He helped the Selecao to reach the finals of the tournament, scoring three goals in the process. But a final defeat to Mexico meant that Brazil had to settle for silver.

The very next year, Barcelona signed this hot property for a massive fee of €86.2 million. Neymar, however, did not disappoint. In his second year at Camp Nou, the Brazilian scored 39 goals in all competitions and was voted third in the 2015 Ballon d’Or, just behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar will again be representing Brazil in the Rio Olympics this year and will hope that he can guide the Selecao to their first Olympic Gold in football.