Roberto Firmino is “eager” to find out if he will be named in Brazil’s final squad before World Cup selections are made, and time is running out for him to force his way into the squad.
The Liverpool number 9 already has three goals and three assists to his name in seven appearances this season, form that comes from an injury-interrupted 2021/22 campaign.
Firmino’s fitness issues and subsequent form have kept him away from the Brazil national team, with his last appearance for his country coming in the Copa América final in July 2021.
With just over two months to go until the World Cup, the battle for Tite’s attention has been going on for a long time, but Firmino is not short on competition.
Players like Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Rodrygo and Richarlison are fighting for places and are expected to be named in the Brazil squad on Friday.
The Selecao face Ghana (September 23) and Tunisia (September 27) during the international break in September, with both matches being played in France, reducing the demands on players based in Europe.
Alisson and Fabinho are expected to be named in Friday’s 26-man squad, but Firmino’s place is anything but certain.
“I’ll be fine, but anxious. Let’s put it this way. Anxious and with high hopes of being too. I am working for it. I want to be, I will fight as long as I can,” Firmino told ESPN Brazil about his international aspirations.
“He’s gone, the past doesn’t matter anymore. Now new things have come up, so I’m very motivated. I am ready to return to the national team if the coach calls me.
“Of course I have to continue doing my job here at Liverpool, that’s what I’ve been looking for.
“It is to continue evolving and, God willing, I will return to the national team. Of course, I dream of being in the World Cup, I want to be there.
“I will continue my work here to be prepared when the manager calls me.
“I am sad because I did not go to the other [calls up]Sure, there were some unforeseen injuries, things like that, but it’s like I said, it’s the past, I think positive, I always think about the future.
“I see the moment a lot, the now, what I have been living, which is a good moment. I have also been trying to evolve and I will be ready if the coach needs me and I will go with great joy to represent my country.
“First I want you to call me. Go back to the national team, be there”, continued Firmino. “I want to show my potential, that I can help the national team and my teammates who are there.
“And then we’ll see who my ‘competitors’ are, who Tite will choose. That does not depend on me. First of all, the idea is to be there.”
