Brazil starlet Neymar has expressed his disappointment at David Beckham’s exclusion from Great Britain’s Olympic squad.
Neymar, 20, who is expected to lead the charge for the Seleção as they attempt to take home their country’s first gold medal at the event.
The Santos youngster did confess that he was happy not to need to oppose the former England captain, whose abilities are renowned worldwide.
Neymar told the Telegraph: “When Beckham was not selected I was a little happy and a little sad. I was happy because he will not be competing against us so it is a little less complicated for us.
“But I was sad because he is a great player, so I would have liked to have played against him one time. It would have been something I could have told my children.”
Ahead of the game with Team GB in Middlesborough on Friday, Neymar added: “They are a big team made from four countries so they will be very strong.
“There is a great expectation at home for us to win the gold medal. It is very important because we have never won Olympic gold before so now we have a chance to make history.”
Neymar met Beckham last summer in New York, when he travelled to be the official kick-off taker in an MLS match.
