Brazil can move eight points clear of La Albiceleste tonight if they win, while further damaging Argentina’s floundering World Cup hopes.
With future City striker Gabriel Jesus alongside him, Ferna will face current City team-mates Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi in Belo Horizonte, though Sergio Aguero will start as a sub.
“I am feeling fit and ready for this game - it is a huge match for both countries,” said Fernandinho.
“Last week, during the Barcelona game, I felt a small hamstring pain as I was going for the ball, but I recovered well and now I am going to proudly serve my nation.
“We have Peru next week and I want to do a great job in these two games, in order to help Brazil to stay at the top of the qualification group for the World Cup.
“I feel very lucky. I play for a great club and I also have the chance to serve my nation.
“I’ve reached a fantastic moment in my career and I am enjoying it a lot, each trip I make to serve Brazil, I do it with immense pride and though the games come quickly, we always try and do everything we can to recover as soon as we can, from one game to another.”
“We have five days in between games with 12 to 13 hours’ flight, from one continent to another and different time zones, but the motivation is bigger than and physical pain or tiredness.
“Either if I am playing for Brazil or when I come back to fight in the Premier League and Champions League, so my motivation and desire always drives me forward.
“And I will see Pablo, Sergio and Nicolas as well this evening – though we will be team-mates again after this game!”
