Following his call up to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil squad, Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has been talking about the difficulties in obtaining a place in the national team.
Fernandinho’s call up is his first in two years and he believes the quality of midfielders available to Scolari makes it a huge challenge to earn a call up, he does believe it is “delightful” for the national team though.
Speaking to ESPN FC’s Fernando Duarte, the 28-year-old said: “There’s a lot of good players for my position in Europe and that’s delightful for Seleção.
“But it also makes it quite difficult to get into the squad, which is why the biggest challenge is always to get the next call up.”
Playing his football in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, it was always difficult to be in the eye of the Brazil coach, let alone the public.
Therefore a move to one of Europe’s biggest and most well known league was vital for Fernandinho but he looks back on his time with Shakhtar fondly.
“I am very proud of what I achieved at Shakhtar and grateful for the opportunities the club has given me,” added the City midfielder.
“We gave some more established European clubs a hiding and that UEFA Cup win in 2009 is one of my fondest memories.
“But it was time for me to test myself at one of the Big Leagues, though coming to England would not immediately get me into the Seleção. That’s for sure.”
