"I have always been ready to be the Selecao's number 10. Now, I am preparing myself even harder for this challenge. Brazil have great players like Ronaldinho Gaucho, Kaka and Oscar. It's going to be a tough fight," he said.

Ganso had long been seen as the natural successor to the Brazil's famous number 10 shirt, the traditional number of the team's playmaker. However, a succession of serious knee injuries coupled with a poor 2011 Copa America left the door open for other candidates to stake their claim.

Whilst Ronaldinho and Kaka are more experienced options, Chelsea's Oscar and Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas have since staked their claim on the playmaking role.

But with new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari now in charge, Ganso is hoping for another chance to prove his worth.

"I hope to be able to play a lot of football next year. If that happens, a return to the Selecao could be the next step," he said.

In September Ganso moved from Santos to Sao Paulo where he will expect to be challenging for the Brazilian and Libertadores titles.