Bayern Munich to release Douglas Costa for Rio Olympics

Douglas Costa will be joining Neymar in the Brazil side at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Neymar was held out of the Copa America Centenario to play in the Olympics from the start, but Costa missing out on the Copa due to an injury gives him the opportunity to play in the Olympics

Gilmar Rinaldi made the announcement on Tuesday. This came despite the fact that Rinaldi was sacked alongside Dunga. However, Rinaldi is staying to help the transition to Corinthians manager Tite who is expected to coach Brazil at the Olympics.

Following Brazil’s disastrous group stage exit in Copa America where they only scored against Haiti, the nation will be looking for some retribution with a big time performance at the Olympics. The Olympic Gold Medal is the only major footballing trophy that Brazil has been eligible yet never won, and they see this summer’s Games in Rio as the perfect opportunity to make history.

The 2016 Olympics will take place from August 3-20. Brazil are in Group A. They will play South Africa on August 4 in Brasilia, Iraq on August 7 in Brasilia, and Denmark on August 10 in Salvador.