Neymar keeps his cool, inspires Brazil to Oly gold

The five-time world champions had never before won the Olympics but as Neymar kept his cool, he shot home the final penalty to take Brazil over the line and give the country a joy that isn’t going to fizzle out anytime soon.

In front of the biggest crowd of all the Rio Games including the nine-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, Neymar took the fifth penalty kick after goalkeeper Weverton managed to stop Germany’s fourth spot kick from Lars Bender and set up Neymar to take the glory; and he did.

Neymar kissed the ball and placed it at the spot, stuttered and stopped only to calmly and swiftly net it in the top corner and seal the gold for the nation. He looked towards the crowd and burst into tears as the crowd sung “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola, Neymar, Neymar”.

The tournament wasn’t an easy one for Neymar and the Brazilian team. 

Coming back home after a humiliating World Cup 7-1 defeat to Germany and a shock exit from the group stage of the Copa America Centenario, Brazil had to redeem themselves. They began slowly; Neymar, unable to score in the first two goalless draws, was questioned over his captaincy and fitness. But Selecao’s golden boy absorbed all that pressure and evolved through the competition to give Brazil their most prized Olympic moment.

Brazil had previously reached the final on three occasions — 1984, 1988 and 2012 — and had to settle for the silver each time. The memory must have haunted the country and the players as the clock had started with Germany, who had been a stronger team throughout the tournament, taking control of the match and the possession. In the 10th minute itself, Germany Julian Brandt sent a dipping long range strike that unluckily hit the crossbar.

But Brazil sprung into action soon and a brilliant curling free kick from Neymar in the 27th minute put the home team on the front seat. Germany didn’t sit back though and despite denials from the goalpost, German captain Max Mayer nullified the goal from the opposition’s captain and brought Germany back into the game.

Thereafter, both teams tried but couldn’t break the deadlock and it was the penalty shootout that decided their eventual fate.

Neymar, after the victory said, “That’s it,” Neymar said. “We made history.” He brought back home the joy of winning and then, decided to listen to his own heart and stepped down from the captaining the national team. He said, “I don’t take it as a pressure, it is you (the press) who say it. But today, as a champion, I am giving (up) the captain’s armband. I was glad to receive it, I have honoured it, but today I am (leaving it). Tite can choose another captain.”

He has silenced his critics. He has brought down the curtains on the disappointing two years of Brazilian football and he has chosen to serve as a player and let another be a leader.