By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo has never been afraid to speak his mind whether as a player or in his new role as a prominent member of the organising committee for next year’s World Cup. The former striker, who scored both goals in the 2002 final and starred in European club football with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid and Milan, was in London this week to promote Brazil 2014.
Ronaldo has expressed his sympathy and support for the Brazilian street protesters – as long as their campaign is peaceful – but draws the line at other former Brazilian playing legends’ vitriolic criticism of the country’s right to host the World Cup.
Last month, Romario, also one of the greatest ever strikers and now a congressman, launched a vehement attack against FIFA and said in a newspaper interview that the World Cup would deepen rather than solve Brazil’s problems.
Quizzed about Romario’s comments at the London briefing on 2014, Ronaldo, who retired last year as a player, hit back. “It is very easy to oppose, to try to destroy while you sit back in your chair at home saying you don’t believe in a project,” Ronaldo charged. “It’s easy to bring others down.”
“I never had the intention that everyone believed in everything I do. When I received the invitation to work with the committee, I saw it as great opportunity for Brazil in terms of growth and investment. I continue to believe that.”
“The facts show the World Cup will be something that will be marvellous for the country with great benefits. I’m fighting for something that we are building. I am not doing it for myself. I am a volunteer for the World Cup, I don’t earn a single penny from FIFA or the Committee. I am doing it because I believe in my country and in my people – and I believe this is a great thing for our country, a great growth opportunity for our country.
“So I’ll keep acting the way I do, believing in my country, believing in the Brazilian people who hope to have a better future. As far as I’m concerned I’m working towards a better Brazil.”
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