Former Real Madrid forward Baptista eyes Brazil return

Rio de Janeiro, May 18 (IANS) Former Real Madrid and Brazil international forward Julio Baptista revealed that he is considering a return to Brazilian football.

The 31-year-old, now at Spanish top-flight club Malaga, has been linked with a move to Internacional, managed by Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning captain and former national coach Dunga, reports Xinhua.

“We haven’t spoken but I know there is interest,” Batista told Radio Bandeirantes. “We will take a look at the possibilities. I have been out of Brazil for years now. If there is interest on their part lets talk and analyse it.”

Batista, who began his career as a defensive midfielder with Sao Paulo in 2000, had spells with Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Roma before joining Malaga in 2011.

He has also won 47 caps for Brazil but has not been called up for his country since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.