Tardelli takes cue from CSL compatriots
Shandong Luneng forward Diego Tardelli has vowed to fight for a place in Brazil’s starting XI after earning a surprise recall for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Chile.
The 32-year-old has not played for his country since the 2015 Copa America but forced his way back onto the national squad after a string of fine performances at club level.
“I have never lost hope of returning to the national team,” Tardelli told Brazilian website Globo Esporte, a week after being named to Brazil’s 24-man squad for its final two 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
“I knew it would be difficult because of the proximity to the World Cup and the way the team has been playing, but I never gave up,” he added.
Tardelli has scored 12 goals in 15 matches for Shandong this season, forming a formidable attack alongside Senegalese former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.
He said other China-based Brazilians, such as Beijing Guo’an’s Renato Augusto and Shandong Luneng teammate Gil, provided inspiration in his quest to win back his Brazil place.
Augusto and Gil have been mainstays on the Brazil squad under coach Tite, as has midfielder Paulinho, who joined Barcelona last month from Guangzhou Evergrande.
“They have encouraged me not to give up and to work as hard as I can to break back into the team,” Tardelli said.
Brazil, already guaranteed a place in Russia next year, leads the South American standings with 37 points from 16 matches.
The five-time World Cup winner will play Bolivia in La Paz on Oct 5 and Chile in Sao Paulo five days later.