© Reuters 2002

LISBON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Portugal-based Brazilian striker Mario Jardel said he may quit soccer if his prolific goalscoring did not win him a place in the World Cup finals.

Jardel, 28, who now has a haul of 28 goals from just 18 appearances, was disappointed that Brazilian trainer Luis Filipe Scolari left him out of the squad for a friendly on Wednesday against Saudi Arabia.

"Sincerely, I have no other reason to go on. If I go to the World Cup, I'll be happy. If not, I'll be traumatised," Jardel told sports daily A Bola.

"I have been thinking about this for nights on end since the Copa America. I could stop to think things over." The Brazilian has already been Portugal's top scorer four times and has shone in the Champions League with his sheer consistency, but his few appearances for Brazil have been lacklustre.

He rejected suggestions he was a big fish in a small pond in Portugal, a country whose top players mostly turn out for big-name clubs abroad.

"Scoring anywhere is difficult and it is no easier in Portugal," Jardel said. "I have always scored and you can be certain I won't stop. Scoring comes naturally to me, I was born for it."

Brazil's warm-up campaign also includes a friendly against Portugal, in Portugal, on 17 April.