Antony is part of the Brazilian selection for the Olympic Games, it was announced on Thursday afternoon. Ajax announced last month that it does not want the 21-year-old attacker to participate in the Olympic Games, but he nevertheless went to Serbia with the Brazilian Olympic selection for a training camp and two practice matches. Now Antony is also in the final selection.
The football tournament at the Olympic Games is not an official FIFA tournament and therefore clubs are not obliged to give up players. Antony misses the complete preparation of Erik ten Hag’s selection if he actually participates. After all, the final of the tournament in Tokyo coincides with the opening of the new season. Ajax will play against PSV in the same weekend, for the Johan Cruijff Scale.
Antony is certainly not the only Brazilian active in Europe who has been selected for the Olympic Games by national coach André Jardine. Gabriel (Arsenal), Diego Carlos (Seville), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Bruno Guimarães (Olympique Lyon), Matheus Cunha (Hertha BSC), Malcom (Zenit Saint Petersburg) and Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen) are also in the selection .
At the Tokyo Olympics, Brazil has been placed in a group with Germany, Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia. The South American country is defending the 2016 Olympic title. The Netherlands is not represented at the men’s tournament.
The final selection:
Target: Santos (Athletico Paranaense), Brenno (Gremio de Porto Alegre)
Defense: Daniel Alves (Sao Paulo), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Gabriel Guimares (Arsenal), Nino (Fluminense), Diego Carlos (Seville)
Midfield: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Bruno Guimaraes (Olympique Lyon), Gerson (Flamengo), Claudinho (Red Bull Bragantino), Matheus Henrique (Gremio de Porto Alegre)
Attack: Matheus Cunha (Hertha BSC), Malcom (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Antony (Ajax), Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen) and Pedro (Flamengo).