Brazil manager Tite has said that Fernandinho remains in his national team plans despite ignoring him since the conclusion of the summer World Cup. The 33-year-old has been a vital figure at the heart of the Selecao’s midfield over the past five years but he has fallen out-of-favour of late with young players in the form of Arthur, Walace, and Allan earning the recognition.

Despite this, Tite has said that Fernandinho still has the chance to return to the national setup, though he can’t assure him of an appearance at the next World Cup, he said: “He will return. I see moral and technical reasons for him to be here. I don’t know if he’ll be picked for the World Cup because of his age, but in the short-term, yes – (because of) his technical quality, the level he is playing at, and his moral quality.”

Fernandinho made his debut for Brazil in 2011 and he earned four more caps during the 2011-2012 season. However, he thereafter fell out of the radar until his Manchester City move in the summer of 2014 and he has since featured for the South American giants at the 2014 and 2018 editions of the World Cup.

“Owing to this, Tite has acknowledged the value of experience brought about by the former Shakhtar Donetsk man“ but he has also suggested that the midfielder may not be considered for the long-term with the country going through the transitional phase. Meanwhile, the same trend could happen at the Etihad at the end “of the current season“ with manager Pep Guardiola looking into a new central midfielder.

The Citizens failed to meet the manager’s demands during the previous summer transfer window but reports indicate that the priority has remained unchanged with Fernandinho approaching the twilight of his professional career.