Thiago Silva has told Paris Saint-Germain's TV channel that he is "very happy" to have been named in the 2014 FIFA FIFPro World XI, before setting his sights on being included in next year's selection.
At a gala ceremony in Zurich on Monday, Silva, 30, was selected by some 20,000 fellow professionals from across the globe as one of the 11 best performing players over the past 12 months.
The defender, who was joined in the XI by PSG and Brazil teammate David Luiz, said he was all the more delighted by the honour given the disastrous end to his nation's World Cup.
Brazil were humiliated 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semifinal, before losing the third-place playoff 3-0 to Netherlands.
"I'm very happy," Silva, who was also selected in the 2013 lineup, told PSG TV. "I work hard and I have put in a lot of work mentally because, after the World Cup, it was a difficult time for everyone.
"I would like to say 'thank you' to all the technical staff, all the players who have helped me. Now I need to continue working to be in the team once again next season."