'The Beast' is finally part of Brazil's plans for a World Cup finals after being overlooked for the previous two tournaments during what has been an up-and-down international career.
Baptista started his career as a defensive midfielder before his keen eye for goal saw him pushed into a more advanced role where he has subsequently made his name.
He was still a teenager when he made his Brazil debut against Japan at the 2001 Confederations Cup having shot to prominence with Sao Paulo.
The 29-year-old joined Sevilla in 2003 and, two years later, he opted to join Real Madrid ahead of Arsenal, only to often be played out of position at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Baptista eventually joined Arsenal 12 months later on a season-long loan and, despite scoring four goals in a League Cup tie at Liverpool, he largely flattered to deceive during his time with Arsene Wenger's side.
After another season at Real, Baptista joined Roma in 2008 and he helped Claudio Ranieri's side push Inter Milan all the way in this season's Serie A title race.
The powerful Baptista does have a habit of scoring important goals, netting for Real against Barcelona and hitting the winner in his first Rome derby, while also scoring in the 2007 Copa America final against Argentina.
Though he only made one substitute's appearance at last summer's Confederations Cup, Baptista has been a regular in Dunga's squad and is likely to be used as an impact player from the bench in South Africa.
