United attacker is hoping to start against Scolari’s men on Sunday.
England front man Danny Welbeck has been speaking about his admiration for the Brazil national team ahead of the two nations’ eagerly-anticipated meeting on Sunday, reports the Daily Mail.
Three Lions head coach Roy Hodgson has taken his England squad out to Rio de Janeiro to face the five-time world champions in a friendly international on their own patch as part of their learning curve ahead of next summer’s World Cup finals in the same country.
And ahead of the match up the Manchester United striker has been reminiscing about some of the great Brazilian teams of the past, although aged just 22, Welbeck can actually only remember as far back as the 2002 vintage.
That, of course, was the side that knocked Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England out of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea at the quarter-final stage, with playmaker Ronaldinho’s famous free kick helping to give Luiz Scolari’s men a 2-1 win on their way to their fifth world title.
“I remember watching that game with all my family and obviously the main memory is the goal Ronaldinho scored,” said Welbeck, who was speaking on behalf of England lead sponsors Vauxhall.
“At the time, I couldn’t work out whether he meant it or not.
“Looking back now he 100 per cent meant it.
“It is part of the magic that sets Brazil apart from the rest and I have followed them ever since.
“Obviously I wasn’t born when Pele was playing at World Cups but I have watched plenty of videos, both of him and other great players.
“It is not hard to understand what a good side they have been.”
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