Brazil’s starting goalkeeper Rafael has
been ruled out of the men’s Olympic squad after injuring his right elbow
in a practice session just two days before the team’s opening match.
Brazil team doctors said exams Tuesday
showed the injury will keep Rafael on the sidelines for up to three
weeks, ending his hopes of playing in the Olympics. Brazil will begin
its quest for its first Olympic gold medal in football against Egypt on
Thursday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The 22-year-old Santos goalkeeper was
injured Monday when he collided with a practice dummy as he reached for a
high ball crossed into the penalty box.
He said he was able to continue
practicing despite the initial pain but started to lose movement in the
arm during the day, prompting doctors to conduct tests.
“It’s hard to try to explain why things
like this happen,” Rafael said. “But I’d like to think that it all
happens for a reason and I will overcome all of this in the end.”
Rafael, touted to be Brazil’s goalkeeper
at the 2014 World Cup at home, broke his leg a few years ago just
before making his professional debut with Santos, but eventually
recovered to help lead the team to titles including the Brazilian Cup
and the Copa Libertadores.
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