Monday, 15th September, 2014
Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has revealed that he wants to stay in the Brazil squad until the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 22-year-old, who missed out on a place in his nation’s squad for the World Cup on home soil in the summer, was recalled to the national side by new Brazil boss Dunga for their friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador earlier in the month.
Coutinho came on as a substitute in both of those games which the Selecao won by 1-0 margins, in the United States.
And the former Inter Milan player, who was delighted to be back in the international fold, however, is aware that he has a tough job on his hands in keeping his place until the next showpiece event in four years’ time.
"It's a dream for me personally to be back in the national squad, it's the dream of any Brazilian player, but the most difficult part comes next," he told Liverpool’s official site.
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"What I've got to do now is stay in the squad until the next World Cup.
"I am desperate to do that, especially after watching what happened in the summer, but at the same time I do not want to look too far ahead.
"I am very happy to be back in the squad, I had a good week with the team and I am pleased to be back playing."
Coutinho, whose current contract with Liverpool runs until 2018, has thus far earned three senior caps for Brazil.
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