(Reuters) - Brighton and Hove Albion defender Bernardo is hopeful that his Premier League stint with the club will boost his chances of being selected for the Brazil national team.
The 23-year-old full-back joined Brighton from RB Leipzig last week after two seasons at the Bundesliga side, where he played 49 matches, including three Champions League appearances and five in the Europa League.
“It’s (Leipzig) a small club but it reached second place in the Bundesliga and I was not even on the radar,” Bernardo told Brighton’s website. “I was a player that played many matches, but my name was not even being speculated.
“Richarlison, from Watford, he is playing for a good club but not in the top six. Everyone is now talking about Richarlison, so the Premier League brings you to another level, because everyone is watching it.
Bernardo feels his nationality attracts a higher pressure to perform tricks and dribbles but believes his calmer style of play is harder to achieve.
“People think you are going to be like Ronaldinho, get the ball, do tricks, dribble around everyone and score,” he added.
Brighton take on Watford in their opening league fixture on Aug. 11.