Brazilian international and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo has confirmed he left Bayern Munich in the summer to ensue he would be playing regular football to earn a spot in Luiz Felipe Scorlari’s World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old also admitted he left Bayern on good terms and revealed how he prepared himself to win the ‘holder role’ in the national team.
Gustavo told UOL Sport about Scolari’s message to Brazilian players aiming to get into his final squad.
“He made it clear to everyone that to get to the World Cup, you had to be playing.
“We know, more than anyone, that if we’re not playing it is difficult to be selected. I had to keep playing and so I thought it was best to leave.”
On the conversation he had with Pep Guardiola about leaving Bayern, Gustavo revealed he left on good terms.
“It was an honest, professional conversation. We had no bitterness or resentment but I thought it was best to go to a team where I would play.”
2013 was a fantastic international year for the Brazilian as he finally established himself in the Seleção side and he puts it down to preparation.
“I was getting ready to be the holder. I was not playing in the last game for Bayern so I trained well at the club to be physically well prepared.
“Then during training before the friendly (v England), I worked hard like it was a game. It was a matter of preparation.”
