Soccer:Dani Alves believes Brazil have the "best of the best" and when they get it together, as they did in the second half of their 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, they are "invincible".
As national coaches across the globe begin to fine-tune their sides ahead of this summer's World Cup in South Africa, predictions abound on who will emerge top of the pile.
Brazil, five-time world champions, made their case at the Emirates Stadium as they sauntered past Republic of Ireland with a stylish second-half display.
Barca full-back Alves was at his buccaneering best after coming on with around 20 minutes to go, though he missed an open goal after pouncing on Seán St Ledger's mistake and rounding Shay Given within seconds of being introduced.
Brazil manager Dunga has had his critics for failing to embrace the gung-ho philosophy of previous regimes but Alves, who must compete with Maicon for a starting place, believes Brazil are as fluid as any side in the world.
"When Brazil play like they did in the last 20 minutes against Ireland, we are almost invincible," said Alves. "The truth is when we succeed playing the ball, which is what makes everyone of us happy, in the end we enjoy it so much.
"The strength of the Brazil national team is the speed and the way we move the ball.
"We are all very happy and confident. We want to win the World Cup so much.
"In the Brazil national team we have the best of the best."
Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva believes Ireland provided the perfect test for Brazil ahead of the World Cup and was a tad more complientary than his team-mate.
“It was very hard and Ireland gave us a lot of difficulties,” said Gilberto, who was part of the Brazil side which won the World Cup in 2002.
“They marked us very tight and high up.
“However, in the second half we had some more space and could pass the ball with more fluency, which was how we scored the second goal.”
Gilberto (33) added: “It will be hard in South Africa, but we will do our best.
“The first thing is to qualify from the first round, and then we will fight for every game until the end.”