Ask any football player whether they’d rather win Olympic gold or World Cup gold, and they’d unanimously choose the latter. But that doesn’t mean this competition should be underestimated. Nor should the effect it has on certain players - older ones like Ronaldinho can use the games to rejuvenate themselves, younger players like Alexander Pato can enhance their growing reputations.

Both those players were in action for Brazil against New Zealand, a one-sided affair if ever there was one. Captain Ronaldinho scored a free-kick and penalty while Pato netted with a fine header in a 5-0 victory. Both players have recently signed with Italian giants AC Milan, Pato six months ago, Ronaldinho a few weeks ago.

It may not be the ideal pre-season preparation for Milan to be without two of their star players but the effects these Olympics may have on the Brazilians could prove beneficial in the long-run, especially if they win the football-loving country’s first ever soccer gold. The last time Brazil won World Cup gold was in the Far East in 2002, when Ronaldinho shone, so the omens are there.

Elsewhere Lionel Messi is shining for current Olympic champions Argentina, USA are looking surprisingly strong, and world champions Italy are going well with a trial squad. As the competition progresses there could be some thrilling matches. What the world would give for a Brazil-Argentina, Ronaldinho-Messi showdown.

Learn how to produce gold winning performances with this football training programme