Joao Miranda hoping for Brazil recall
Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda said Sunday he hopes his recent good form at the Spanish club will earn him a call up from the national team in his native Brazil.
Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda said Sunday he hopes his recent good form at the Spanish club will earn him a call up from the national team in his native Brazil.
The 28-year-old helped Atletico win the European Supercup last month, scoring one goal in the Spanish side's shock 4-1 victory over Champions League winners Chelsea in Monaco.
Colombia international Falcao scored a first-half hat-trick and Miranda made it 4-0 after 60 minutes to secure Atletico's victory.
"The goal in Monaco was one of my best days since I arrived at Atletico," Miranda, who joined the Spanish side from Sao Paulo FC in July 2011, said in an interview published in sports daily Marca.
"Falcao scored three times and I scored once. I really celebrated this goal, which has had a lot of repercussions in Brazil.
"I think that I can return to playing with Brazil in a while because I am doing good work at Atletico. I have the feeling that I am closer to wearing the jersey of my national team," Miranda added.
Miranda has six senior international caps to his name.
He made his first international appearance for Brazil in a 2010 World Cup qualification match against Peru in April 2009, coming on as a substitute.