Shakhtar’s Fred ‘Thought Brazil Call-Up Was a Joke’

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred says he thought he was the victim of a prank when he discovered that he had been called into the Brazil squad on Friday. He has been called for October World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Chile. Fred has not featured for the national team since the latter days of former […]
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sambafoot_admin
2017-09-16 18:21:00

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred says he thought he was the victim of a prank when he discovered that he had been called into the Brazil squad on Friday. He has been called for October World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Chile.

Fred has not featured for the national team since the latter days of former Seleção coach Dunga. The 24 year old says he first received the news from a friend and he was convinced that it was a joke.

“It is an immense happiness that I am feeling. I was in the car, with my agent, Gilberto Silva, going to training. At the time, a friend called me saying that I had just been summoned. I thought, ‘Is this a joke?!’ Then I looked on the internet and saw that my name was on the list.”

The midfielder now has his sights firmly set on making next summer’s World Cup squad, “It’s a great joy to be able to get back on the jersey and wear the shirt. I worked hard for this, I have had a great time at Shakhtar, thank God, and this new opportunity has come.

“I hope to impress and to be remembered again. Our group of players is very talented, but I will fight for my space to be among those who will defend Brazil in the World Cup.”

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