RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- After arriving at Corinthians last week, Roberto Carlos expressed his aspiration to return to the Brazilian national soccer team on Saturday.
The star midfielder hopes to demonstrate to the national team's head coach, Dunga, that both he and Ronaldo are fit to play for Brazil in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"I came to Corinthians to give Ronaldo an added incentive. I want to push him and make him concentrate even more, maintaining an ideal weight. I want to motivate Ronaldo with the hopes that we will both return to the national team," declared the 36-year-old midfielder.
Carlos admits that he is well aware of the competition to be a part of the national team. However, with a positive attitude, determination and a great work ethic, he believes that he has a good chance of being invited by Dunga to travel to South Africa.
"I am certain that Ronaldo will return to score a flurry of goals and lead the country in goals scored. I will join him, running down the left side and taking my long-distance shots on goal. We will do what every other player who dreams of making the national team needs to do -- work hard," added Carlos.
Carlos has not played for the national team since the Brazilian's failure and resultant early exit from the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The midfielder was widely criticized for allowing France to score the goal that led to Brazil's elimination.
After the match against France, Carlos took the responsibility of the loss on his own shoulders and declared that he would no longer play for the national team.
However, back in Brazil, he has changed his mind and looks to make up for his past mistake. The midfielder recognizes that Dunga has an almost complete base for the World Cup team. He mentioned that many things can happen before the Cup takes place, such as injuries.
According to the player, the possibility to play for the Brazilian national team only closes once the cabin door of the airplane with destination to South Africa in shut.
