RIO DE JANEIRO: Barcelona’s Neymar and Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa were chosen as over-age players for Brazil’s Olympic squad on Wednesday in a selection packed with striking firepower.

Gabriel Barbosa, the teenage Santos striker who scored on his Brazil debut last month, was also included as one of five forwards, along with Gremio’s Luan and Gabriel Jesus, the coveted young Palmeiras striker, as they look to bounce back from humiliation in the Copa America Centenario.

The other over-age player is Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass, 37, coach Rogerio Micale told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.

It is Prass’s first international call-up. Micale hailed his “leadership profile” and the “excellent season” he has had as captain of Palmeiras.

Spanish champions Barca allowed Neymar, 24, to play in the Olympics but not this month’s Copa America, in which Brazil were knocked out at the group stage.

“Neymar is different. He is one of the best players in the world. Any national team would want to have a player of his profile,” Micale told a news conference. “He will mean a lot for the team. I hope he will be able to help the younger players.”

The Copa humiliation got coach Dunga fired. Corinth­ians boss Tite was named to replace him, but Micale will lead the team at the Olympics before Tite takes over.

Brazil named 18 players, 11 of whom play for Brazilian clubs, and will call up another four before the July 18 deadline. Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson, Rafinha Alcan­tara of Barcelona and Paris St Germain defender Marqu­inhos were also included.

Brazil are attempting to win the Olympic gold medal, the only major title they have never won, at their home Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2016