Marquinhos has admitted his desire to play in the Olympics with Brazil was behind the cancellation of his loan to Nantes and planned return to Arsenal.
Arsenal winger Marquinhos joined Ligue 1 club Nantes on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window, but the two clubs recently confirmed that he would be returning to the Gunners after ending his loan spell early.
The primary reason behind the decision was reportedly a dispute between Nantes and Marquinhos over his call-up for the Brazil u23s for the upcoming CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.
The player himself has confirmed that this was the case, admitting he stood firm with Nantes to ensure he could play for Brazil.
“I spoke with the coach, with the president, I spoke about my desire to wear the national team’s shirt, about my dream of qualifying for the next Olympics and being there,” Marquinhos said.
“I positioned myself within the club so I could be here and defend Brazil.”
Marquinhos now plans to return to Arsenal after the Pre-Olympic Tournament, rather than going out on another loan.
“I’m very focused on having a great Pre-Olympics,” Marquinhos continued. “[Then] to return to Arsenal confident, to continue the work there, so that, God willing, I can be at the next Olympics.”
The tournament is a qualifier for the summer Olympics, with Brazil initially playing in a group alongside Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Each team will play the others once, with the top-two teams qualifying for a second group stage of four teams.
The two teams that finish in the top two in the second stage will then qualify for the Olympics.
The tournament kicks off on January 20th, lasting until at least February 1st. If Brazil make it to the second group stage, they’ll be playing matches until February 11th.
That would have meant another four weeks away from Nantes, with Marquinhos already having taken time off to win the Pan American Games with Brazil in November.
Marquinhos didn’t play a match for Nantes for two months around the games, only recently returning to make a few substitute appearances.
Following the cancellation of his loan, Marquinhos will have to hope he can get minutes at Arsenal after concluding his international duties.