- Alexandre Pato was one of the top performers in the 2017 Chinese Super League
- The Brazilian has now targeted a recall to the national team for the World Cup
- The former Chelsea and Milan striker has not played for his country since 2013
By Harry Slavin For Mailonline
Published: 03:27 EST, 17 January 2018 | Updated: 03:31 EST, 17 January 2018
Former Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists he hasn't given up on fighting his way back into the Brazil national team ahead of the World Cup.
The 28-year-old, who netted 15 times in 24 appearances for Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian in 2017, hasn't represented his country since 2013.
He helped Fabio Cannavaro's side finish third in their first season in the Chinese Super League and the former Chelsea loanee is hopeful that his form won't have gone unnoticed by Brazil boss Tite.
Alexandre Pato has targeted a return to the Brazil national team in time for the 2018 World Cup
'Well, I've worked all this year thinking [about the] Brazilian [national] team… which means extra physical work out of my house, and [the] gym at home too,' Pato told Omnisport.
'I always worked to go back to the Brazilian team and I think I [played] a great championship. I helped the club to move on to a different level, [higher] than everyone expected.'
Pato is one of a host of Brazilians reinventing themselves in China, with former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho earning a move to Barcelona after starring for Guangzhou Evergrande.
And the striker believes he has built himself a platform from which to push for a place in Russia this summer.
'I [produced] a great year and I think opportunities appear, such as have appeared for Gil, Tardelli, for Renato… and for Paulinho when he was in China. Now he went to Barcelona,' he said.
'I think there is still a lot of time left for the World Cup. I think I have to work and be focused on my work here in China.
'And if it appears – the opportunity – I'll be very happy. I work on 100 per cent to return to the Brazilian team. I think this is my focus.
'In each game, I give my best so I believe, who knows, I can receive an opportunity to [get] back.
'And, who knows, maybe [I could] play a friendly match or anything else involving the national team, so that I can demonstrate my work again to the coach Tite.'
The striker hasn't played for his country since 2013 but shone last season in China
[contf] [contfnew] 
Daily Mail
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
