Ronaldo, Brazil’s former soccer player and a member of the local organizing committee for the 2014 World Cup, talks during a news conference at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, March 27, 2014. AP
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—Ronaldo, who led Brazil to its last World Cup title 12 years ago, says the pressure on this year’s team is “huge” with everyone expecting a sixth title helped by home field advantage.
Ronaldo, speaking Thursday as Rio organizers explained ongoing delays finishing three stadiums, says” by definition they (players) are under enormous pressure and, of course, playing in your own country is an additional responsibility.”
A three-time winner of FIFA’s player of the year award, Ronaldo is working as an “ambassador” for the local organizing committee. He compared Brazil’s upcoming World Cup to the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi. He said people were “suspicious” of Sochi and were proven wrong.
He suggested the same thing would happen in Brazil when the World Cup opens June 12 in Sao Paulo.
RELATED STORIES
Past champions betting on Brazil to win 2014 World Cup
Teams qualified for the 2014 World Cup