Defender Lucio insists Brazil's desire to win the World Cup is greater than ever.
Captain hopes to lead nation to sixth World Cup success
Defender Lucio insists Brazil's desire to win the World Cup is greater than ever.
Some bookmakers make the five-time winners tournament favourites and the Inter Milan defender will captain the side in South Africa.
Lucio, 32, already has a World Cup winners' medal to his name after success in Japan and South Korea in 2002, but that feat has not hampered his drive.
Boss Dunga has included several players from Luiz Felipe Scolari's successful squad eight years ago, but Lucio believes the high number of those not to have won the tournament can work in Brazil's favour.
"We have a very strong group that has been through thick and thin," Lucio told the
Guardian.
"The majority of the players have never won this competition, so I presume they will be hungrier than ever."
Style
Despite being one of the favourites, Brazil's style of play under Dunga, who captained his nation to their success in USA 1994, has come under scrutiny.
The former Fiorentina midfielder has installed a cautious approach to Brazil's play, prompting criticism from traditionalists who would prefer to see the Samba Boys display the type of flair the nation has become renowned for.
However, Lucio, who is fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho, insists winning comes first and has no qualms about basing their approach on a solid backline.
He said: "To those who complain about style, I just say nothing is more beautiful than winning."
