Guangzhou Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes the hat trick scored by Paulinho in Brazil's 4-1 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Thursday is further proof that a move to the Chinese Super League should not be the end of a player's international career.
Paulinho, who joined Evergrande a little over two years ago from Tottenham Hotspur, was one of three China-based players in Tite's squad as Brazil tightened their grip on top spot in South America's qualifying campaign for next year's World Cup in Russia.
"There are two reasons why I'm happy tonight," Scolari said. "One is that China won the match against South Korea and the other is that Paulinho scored a hat trick for the Brazil national team.
"Paulinho was not in the national team list, but he fought his way back. That is why I am very proud of the Chinese Super League. You see Paulinho, Renato Augusto and Gil have all gone back to the national team.
"So it is wrong to say that the CSL is for players who have come to the end of their career. The CSL has showed it is competitive and it is able to give players the chance to play for their country again."
Scolari also praised China coach Marcello Lippi after the Italian, who previously worked with Evergrande, steered the national team to a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday evening -- only the second time they have defeated them.
The win, achieved with five of Scolari's players in the starting lineup, kept China's slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
"I always tell my players to be at their best for the national team," Scolari said. "Lippi is my good friend. We've chatted a few times. I'm happy to see what he has done to the national team. I watched the whole 90 minutes and I like the way it went."
Scolari also denied reports in Brazil he intended to retire from coaching at the end of the year, claiming he planned to remain in China for the foreseeable future.
"It is completely untrue," he said. "I don't know what the intention was behind this fake news. I have to repeat that my contract with Evergrande is due until the end of this year and I have the option of a one-year extension.
"I love my job in Guangzhou, and I love my players. My family in Brazil don't need me to quit my work here to take care of them at home. It is normal that I take some holidays back in Brazil, and I haven't seen my wife for four or five months. I went back and brought them to Guangzhou, that's it.
"I'm satisfied with my job in Guangzhou, and I'm happy with Evergrande and Chinese football. I believe I will spend more time here."