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Brazil selection Anderson to miss start of season

08/07/2008

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been selected in the Brazilian Olympic football squad and, as a result, will miss the start of the new Premier League season.

Another player set to be ruled out for the opening few weeks of the 2008/09 campaign is Manchester City's new record signing Jo, who is also part of the 18-man squad.

A third Premier League player, Liverpool's Lucas Leiva, will also travel to Beijing for the competition, which takes place throughout August.

Brazil - who are chasing a first ever Olympic gold medal in football, despite having won the World Cup more than any other nation - have named an experienced squad for the tournament.

Barcelona's wantaway forward Ronaldinho is included as one of the over-age players allowed in the under-23 squad.

Real Madrid striker Robinho and Fluminese defender Thiago Silva are the two other permitted over-age selections.

The squad also includes highly-rated AC Milan youngster Alexandre Pato, 18, who received rave reviews for his performances in Serie A last season.

Full Brazil squad for Olympics:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional).
Defenders: Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Shalke), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Fluminense).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen); Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Lucas (Liverpool), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Thiago Neves (Fluminense).
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Jo (Manchester City), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Robinho (Real Madrid).