Douglas Costa pulls out of Brazil's Olympic squad

Bayern Munich's Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa celebrates after his goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between FCB Bayern Munich and Olympiakos Piraeus on November 24, 2015
© Getty Images
Douglas Costa is forced to withdraw from the Brazil squad for the 2016 Olympics due to a thigh problem.

Douglas Costa has been forced to withdraw from the Brazil squad for the 2016 Olympics after picking up a thigh problem.

The Bayern Munich attacker was one of three over-age players named in the squad for the Games in Rio, which begin early next month.

However, a thigh injury has forced the 25-year-old to make himself unavailable for the competition, leaving the host nation needing to seek a replacement in the latter stages of their preparation.

"I greatly regret this. We all wanted Douglas to contest the Olympic Games in his home country, but the player's health and fitness takes priority," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told reporters.

Barcelona's Neymar and experienced Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass were the two other players over the age of 23 selected in the squad.

Neymar in action for Brazil on November 18, 2014
Read Next:
Neymar selected in Brazil Olympic squad
>

Tables