Winning more important than style - Maicon

Brazil full-back Maicon says his countrymen are more focused on winning a sixth World Cup in South Africa than maintaining the stylish legacy of their predecessors.

Brazilian fans have always demanded 'o jogo bonito' (the beautiful game) and in the past have gorged themselves on the skills of supremely gifted individuals such as Pele, Gerson, Zico and Ronaldo.

But Maicon, a European champion with Inter last season, says these days everything has to be subordinated to the team ethic.

"I want to be a champion - whether or not Brazil turn on the jogo bonito," he told journalists at Randpark Golf Club, Brazil's base near Johannesburg.

"Whether you turn on the style or play ugly, the important thing is that come July 11, Brazil are in the final," said Maicon.

At the other end of the pitch, Wolfsburg striker Grafite is revelling in his status as the surprise choice in the squad after another fine season in the Bundesliga saw him move ahead of the experienced Adriano in Dunga's pecking order.

"Three months ago I would never have dreamed of playing at the World Cup," said the forward.

He returned from training last month with his club to discover that Dunga had pencilled him in and returned to find his wife and sons whooping for joy after hearing the news on television.

"My wife told me, 'You deserve it,'" explained Grafite, who was a late entrant into the professional game, having sold bin liners until the age of 21 before making it with Santa Cruz as a professional in 2001.

By 2003 he had signed for hometown side Sao Paulo and two years later he lifted the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup.

"On arriving in South Africa I straightaway felt, 'Here I am at the cup,'" said Grafite, who had a spell with Le Mans in France before firing Wolfsburg to the 2009 German league title.