Rio de Janeiro: Alexandre Pato hopes his return to Brazil's football national team for Saturday's friendly against Australia will pave the way for a dream World Cup berth.
Pato has been drafted into Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad for the match at Brasilia's Mane Garrincha stadium after the withdrawal of Fred due to injury, reports Xinhua.
"I feel honoured. I was 17 when I scored my first goal for the national team and started the road to where I am now," Pato said Tuesday. Unfortunately there have been some pauses, some injuries that didn't allow me to show my best form. But now I'm back and I'm going to try to hold on to my place until the (2014) World Cup."
Pato's return to the international fold comes after a harrowing three-year period. Injuries forced him out of contention for the 2010 World Cup and he managed just 25 games in the following two seasons for AC Milan before his January move to Corinthians.
After his inauspicious start for the Brazilian club, Pato has found his best form. Arguably his best match of the season came Sunday, when he scored twice in Corinthians' 4-0 win over Flamengo.
He is now intent on repaying Scolari's faith.
"This is what I have been wanting since I came back to Brazil," Pato said. My objective has always been to play for my country. I've been able to string some games together and now I'm ready to do my best for the Selecao."
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