Gilberto wants to play in Olympics
March 30, 2008
Silva seeks gold for Brazil in Beijing
Gilberto Silva is keen to represent Brazil at the Olympics this August – a move that would rule him out for the start of next season at a time when his Arsenal future is already in question.
The midfielder is uncertain whether he will remain at Arsenal for the final year of his contract, having been sparingly used by Arsène Wenger this season after playing in last summer’s Copa América. Brazil coach Dunga has shown greater faith in the World Cup winner and may select Gilberto as one of three over-age players for the Beijing Olympic tournament, which finishes on 23 August.
Although Fifa will only force clubs to release players under the age of 23 for the Games, Gilberto is eager to add to his World Cup, Confederations Cup and Copa América successes with Brazil and will discuss playing in the tournament with Dunga at the end of the season.
‘It would be great to represent Brazil in a competition that I’ve never played in before and the only competition that Brazil never won,’ Gilberto said. ‘If I’m one of the players Dunga wants to bring it would be nice to be there. I will do everything to help but I don’t know if the club will allow it.’
By the time of the Olympics, the 31-year-old could have new employers, although he has yet to receive a concrete offer from another club. ‘Nothing is definite yet,’ Gilberto said. ‘At the moment I don’t have anything – no offer from any club – and I don’t know if Arsenal have received something. The only thing I can say is that I will make a decision at the end of the season.’
Not really worth speculating about this Olympics business until his employer for next season is sorted out.