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SHANGHAI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Bayern Munich star Giovane Elber said on Wednesday that foreign players in Chinese Super League (CSL) need to play better than those in Europe if they want to be recruited by Selecao.
The retired Brazil international was amazed by Chinese soccer's power to lure many world top players such as his fellow countrymen Oscar and Hulk. Elber admitted he had never experienced this situation when he was a player.
He said: "Now I can get the information of CSL when reading news, it was hard to imagine when I was a player. At my time only when you play in Italy, Spain or other good leagues can you be called up by the national team."
Foreign stars arrive in China for lucrative deals. However, they need to work extra hard to be called up by the national teams, Elber said.
"In our team, we do have some players from CSL, but the coach know them well before they come here, if you start your career in China, it's almost impossible to catch attention," he said. "Of course, the players in CSL should play better than their teammates who play in Europe in order to prove they deserve the jersey."
As the brand ambassador of Bayern, Elber thought the Bundesliga giants should bring their youth training system to China.
"We have founded our first football school in Qingdao, then will be more. Bayern know they can't just introduce their own youth training system, but should base on the local conditions."
Elber also talked about his former club's clash against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the European Champions League and he thought to face the defending champion was better to take on Barca.
"We have good records when play against Real Madrid, both teams are strong squads but if we try our best we could have a better opportunity," he said.
