Anderson, left, and his Brazil teammates try to take the ball off Lionel Messi in the 2008 Olympic semifinal against Argentina, who won 3-0 and went on to take gold.
Brazil's Olympic mission —
Anderson, left, and his Brazil teammates try to take the ball off Lionel Messi in the 2008 Olympic semifinal against Argentina, who won 3-0 and went on to take gold.
Brazil star Ronaldinho greets Argentina great Diego Maradona after receiving his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona star has been included as an overage player in Brazil's provisional squad for London 2012.
Only bronze in Beijing —
Brazil star Ronaldinho greets Argentina great Diego Maradona after receiving his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona star has been included as an overage player in Brazil's provisional squad for London 2012.
Future World Cup winner Romario battles for the ball in the Brazilian Olympic team's 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 tournament in Seoul.
Seoul destroying —
Future World Cup winner Romario battles for the ball in the Brazilian Olympic team's 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 tournament in Seoul.
Romario was the toast of Brazil in 1994 when the Samba Boys won the World Cup for the fourth time, beating Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final in the United States.
Romario's reward —
Romario was the toast of Brazil in 1994 when the Samba Boys won the World Cup for the fourth time, beating Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final in the United States.
Brazil's women's team has also suffered Olympic despair, losing the 2008 final to the U.S. after taking silver in Athens four years previously.
Girls from Brazil also miss out —
Brazil's women's team has also suffered Olympic despair, losing the 2008 final to the U.S. after taking silver in Athens four years previously.
Brazil football legend Pele sheds tears as he carries the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on its visit to Rio. Brazil will host the Summer Games in 2016.
Tears of a football legend —
Brazil football legend Pele sheds tears as he carries the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on its visit to Rio. Brazil will host the Summer Games in 2016.
Pele was a 17-year-old member of the Brazil side which triumphed in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden -- the first of a record five titles, hence the team nickname "Pentacampeoes" (five-time champions).
'Pentacampeoes' —
Pele was a 17-year-old member of the Brazil side which triumphed in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden -- the first of a record five titles, hence the team nickname "Pentacampeoes" (five-time champions).
However, Olympic success has eluded the "Samba Boys." Ronaldo, here helping a Japan player to his feet during Brazil's 1-0 loss, won a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996. He went on to win the World Cup in 2002 and become the tournament's record overall scorer.
Atlanta anguish —
However, Olympic success has eluded the "Samba Boys." Ronaldo, here helping a Japan player to his feet during Brazil's 1-0 loss, won a bronze medal at Atlanta 1996. He went on to win the World Cup in 2002 and become the tournament's record overall scorer.