Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernando is hoping to follow his club teammate Fernandinho into the Brazilian national side.
The ex Porto hardman has been in good form for City this season, after a year of adaptation in 2014-15. Now he has his sights trained on the national setup.
“When I first arrived here, I said that my focus was only City,” said Fernando. “I knew the difficulties I would have to face, not only because of the quality players that we have here but also because of the stature Manchester City hold globally.
“For that reason I kept focused and kept working hard but I hope the opportunities will come with Brazil at some stage – that said, my aim remains to play and be really good at City first and foremost,” he told the Manchester City website.
But he admitted that his compatriot and midfield partner Fernandinho’s repeat call ups have given him the appetite to attract Dunga’s attention, ““As for Fernandinho, he is a great player and a close friend. He has won some titles with City and I feel that is something I also have to do – win titles, work hard and subsequently the opportunities will come.
““Fernandinho and I are like brothers. We are very close and that helps a lot on the pitch, as communication is a key factor. Against United Fernandinho and I played side by side and against Sevilla I was more at the back, with Fernandinho and Yaya in more advanced positions which worked really well for us.
“They were different roles, but I feel comfortable in any of them and I am working hard so the manager can use me in any formation. I will work hard in order to be able to play in any position on the field and I want to do more for City and win titles.”
