Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has been rewarded for his sterling Premier League displays this season with a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s latest Brazil squad.
Brazil face South Africa in March, in a friendly match being described by many as the last chance to impress the Seleção coach, and the City midfielder is pleased to be selected.
It is Fernandinho’s first selection since February 2012 and speaking to ESPN FC’s Fernando Duarte, he explained how he always believed a call up would eventually come.
The 28-year-old said: “Every annoucement week I looked at the news expecting to see my name there.
“When it didn’t come up I just thought I needed to keep on believing and working hard and my time would come.
“Scolari has the group pretty much defined but I knew I could still get a nod.”
The former Shakhtar Donetsk player has appeared in Brazil squads of the past and was heavily involved under former national team manager Mano Menezes.
However, under Menezes he was often played out of his favoured defensive midfielder role. Now he hopes to stake a claim to show his true potential.
“There were a few times I was used in different positions with Menezes,” admitted Fernandinho.
“I felt a bit out of place. That prevented me from playing to my full capacity.
“Hopefully I will get a chance now to help where I can do it best.”
