The 30-year-old was handed his first call-up since November 2014 and is now focused on establishing himself as No.1 ahead of March's qualifiers
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves has expressed his delight at being recalled by Brazil.
On Thursday, coach Dunga included the 30-year-old in his squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay, handing him his first international call-up since November 2014.
And the former Atletico Mineiro man was thrilled to be back with the Selecao after overcoming a serious knee injury in May 2015 that kept him out of the game for eight months.
“I feel so much joy after eight months of recovery. It was very, very hard work so it's very nice to see my name in this squad,” he told SporTV.
“The competition is always strong. Brazil has several young goalkeepers emerging. Just as in other positions, the competition there is good for the national team.”
Diego Alves’ previous two appearances under Dunga came in the Brasil Global Tour victories over Turkey and Austria, as part of a squad restricted to European-based players.
He returned to the panel this week at the expense of Botafogo’s Jefferson, who was left out of a for which he was eligible for the first time since Dunga’s July 2014 appointment.
Internacional’s Alisson is currently first choice but, with rumours that Dunga has long been waiting for Diego Alves' return from injury, he will face strong competition for his place with Gremio’s Marcelo Grohe also back.
"A player has to have the desire to show that he can play,” Diego Alves continued.
“The decision always rests with the coach. We all have to want to play, but must respect our team-mates.
“The Selecao has always been a goal for me. It gave me even more motivation to recover, to power through all day, to do weight training, field work. I was always focused on making a comeback.”
- Goal