Santos are having a very good campaign in the Campeonato Paulista, and they will play the first-leg final against Audax on Sunday.
And even with focus on the competition, young midfielder Thiago Maia and left-back Zeca are also eyeing another important tournament this summer, the Rio Olympic Games. The 19-year-old, who"s been a member of Brazil"s Olympic team during friendlies, is eager to see his name in the squad for the tournament, which will be held this August. The player was asked to carry the Olympic torch on its way to Brazil, but didn"t guarantee his presence at the ceremony. He said: “I hope to be on this list, it"s a dream for every player to represent their country. I don"t know if I will be able to attend [the ceremony], but I received an invitation and I"m very happy. Being champion will be historic for any player, especially in our country, which is experiencing such crisis. Today when Brazil plays, the respect that we had in the past is no more, and I think we need to get it back."
21-year-old Zeca has been a regular for Santos since last year, and recently received a proposal to play for La Liga side Atlético Madrid. He said: “Many questions arise [about the Olympics], but our thinking is totally different. We have to show good football at Santos. Dream, yes everybody dreams. We have to think about the Olympics, and Brazil have never won this title, then, if God willing, we will win it."