Men’s Olympic football, being largely contested by players under the age of 23, has always been a platform for the next generation of stars to show what they can do. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Romário and Fabio Cannavaro are among those who played at the Olympic Games on route to their peaks.

So while attention focused on established stars Neymar and Douglas Costa (who has since been ruled out by injury and should be replaced by Renato Augusto) when Brazil announced its team for Rio 2016 last week, for many the more exciting news was of two less well-known names.

Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa

The 19-year-old wonderkid, who nickname is a mix of his name and the Brazilian Portuguese word for goal, has been drawing comparisons with superstar Neymar for some time now. He comes from the same club Santos, which was made famous by Pelé before producing the likes of Robinho and Neymar.

Barbosa joined their youth set up in 2004 and, after rising through the ranks and impressing at youth level, he signed his first professional contract in December 2012 – with a hefty €50million buyout clause.

Since his professional debut for Santos in 2013, aged just 16, Gabigol has repaid the faith by scoring 55 goals in 151 appearances, many of which have been coming off the bench as a substitute. Last year he scored 10 goals in Brazil’s top league, the Brasileirão, and also finished top-scorer in the Copa do Brasil with eight goals.

Technically brilliant, a fine dribbler and an accomplished passer of the ball, he is capable of playing out wide or just off the frontline. In front of goal he is cool, calm and collected, an accomplished finisher who is capable of scoring from all angles.

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One of Brazil’s biggest prospects, Gabigol has reportedly had a whole host of European clubs after his signature, including Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus, who according to recent reports in Brazil are close to triggering his buyout clause.

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Gabriel Jesus

Up the motorway from Santos is the sprawling metropolis of São Paulo, the home of Palmeiras football club, who have a prodigy of their own. Eight months younger than Gabigol, according to some respected voices in Brazilian football, Gabriel Jesus is supposed to be even better.

Gabriel Jesus grew up in Jardim Peri, in north São Paulo, where he started playing street football initially before representing various amateur teams in the region. At 15 years old, playing for amateur side Anhanguera, he finished top scorer in the junior Copa São Paulo, which is world-famous for unearthing new talent, with 29 goals. It was here that he suddenly attracted the attention of Brazil’s professional clubs, including Palmeiras.  

After signing his youth contract with Palmeiras in 2013, Gabriel Jesus went on to score 54 goals in 48 matches that year. The following year he scored 37 goals in 44 games in the under-17 state championships and then in 2015 he made his senior debut for the club, a season in which he was voted best newcomer of the 2015 Brasileirão and helped Palmeiras win the Copa do Brasil.

Gabriel Jesus, like Gabigol, is an exciting attacking player. Possessing excellent dribbling skills and passing ability as well as an eye for goal, he is perhaps more a box of surprises than composed goal-scorer Gabigol. His tricks, flicks and imagination have encouraged comparisons between him and Brazilian magician Ronaldinho.

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Europe’s biggest clubs have also been following the 19-year-old closely, with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City all showing interest. But like his namesake and seleção teammate, he has reportedly insisted that he is happy for the time being at his beloved verdão Palmeiras.

Set to play in the famous Palmeiras green for the time being, the world will have the opportunity to see him play in the famous yellow and green of Brazil alongside Gabigol, Neymar and co. at the Olympic Games in August.

Groups and match schedule defined for Rio 2016

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