Bastos has already played for his country at junior level, but his impressive displays in Ligue 1 have now earned him a chance to make the step up to the senior ranks when his nation plays England in Qatar on 14 November before taking on Oman three days later.

"I knew that at 11 o'clock in the morning in Brazil there was going to be a press conference where the coach was going to name his squad," explained Bastos. "My wife was sat in front of the computer, as she has done for recent squad announcements, to see if I had been called up or not. I was in the city centre, and I have to say I didn't expect it all that much.

"My wife called me and started to cry. Then my telephone didn't stop ringing. My family and my friends are really happy for me because playing for Brazil is the dream of every child who plays football."

'Never lost belief'

Bastos had made no secret of his desire to play for his country at next year's World Cup finals, and admitted his summer move from Lille to OL was in part motivated by that ambition.

The 26-year-old actually features in the squad list among the defenders, the position he occupied when he played in his native country before being successfully converted into an attacking midfielder after joining Lille in 2006. However, Bastos revealed Dunga is well aware of his recent performances.

"Deep down, I hoped I would be included because I knew that the coach had had his eye on me for a while, and he had told me that I would get my chance," said the OL man, who has scored twice in seven league appearances this season. "This was one of the last squads before the World Cup. I knew that I was due an opportunity, but I wasn't sure because I've been injured recently and haven't played that much.

"I'm very happy, because I've never lost my belief and it's a dream come true. I'm happy, but now it's up to me to do everything to ensure that I'll have another chance. I have to continue putting in good performances with Lyon, and the rest will come."

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