The Brazilian striker and World Cup record scorer, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, has given a wide-ranging press conference ahead of tonight’s 2014 FIFA World Cup draw.
Now a member of the Local Organising Committee in his home country the double world champion says, “we [Brazil] are ready to deliver the greatest World Cup of all time.”
“There are still a few months to go before the competition starts and we have a lot of work to do to get everything in the best possible shape. I can tell you, though, that Brazil will be putting on a show on and off the pitch.”
When asked about his favourites Ronaldo de Lima said, “Brazil are top of my list of favourites. Then come Germany, followed by Spain and Argentina.”
“Brazil showed at the FIFA Confederations Cup that they have a very strong side and that they’re the red hot favourites to win the FIFA World Cup.”
Ronaldo de Lima has won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, along with Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi. He has won the Ballon d’Or twice and the World Cup in 1994 and 2002.
The ‘phenomenon’ says the host’s team is already looking good and he believes Neymar can become one of the world's greatest.
“I think the team are looking pretty good. There are none of the controversies we’ve had in previous years about certain players getting picked or not. The best players are already there and the team is on the right track.”
“I’m convinced he [Neymar] is going to become the greatest player in the world and competing in Europe will go a long way to helping him achieve that.”
The 2014 FIFA World Cup draw starts at 17:00 later today and Soccer-Laduma will be covering the event with live tweets.