The Barcelona man believes Luiz Felipe Scolari has earned the Selecao an admiration they once lost and that this squad has what it takes to become world champions

Dani Alves says Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has reclaimed the respect of world football.

Brazil endured a difficult patch following World Cup 2010, exiting at the quarter-final stage of Copa America 2011 and showing inconsistent form in friendly matches as coach Mano Menezes oversaw a period of transition for the Selecao.

But Felipao’s return in 2012 saw them recover their form and they have now won 13 of their last 12 matches, including all five as they roared to Confederations Cup glory in 2013.

“Scolari has helped us to earn the respect of world football again,” said Dani Alves.

“Nowadays, people see Brazil and show us respect, which is something we had lost.

"We needed that. Now people look at the bench and see a world champion in Scolari, who communicates his ideas very clearly to the group."

The Barcelona full-back went on to say that he feels Scolari has fostered a collective capable of claiming their sixth world title, and their first on home soil, when World Cup 2014 arrives in Brazil this June.

“I think that the greatness of this team is not just about having a good first team, or good players on the bench, but the entire squad, with everybody having a chance to play.

“We have to believe we're in a group that will fight to be world champions."