FIFA President Sepp Blatter has complimented the Seleção by saying that he hopes Brazil play their traditional football during the World Cup in 2014, as that will make for a great tournament.
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The 76-year-old Swiss was speaking to journalists about Brazil’s preparation for the competition, having previously been concerned with the progress in Rio.
However, Blatter now believes the “Brazilians are aware of where they are” and therefore “want to make a great World Cup.”
He said: “Brazil is the country of football. I just hope that the Brazilian football team plays, because if they play, you have a very nice tournament.”
However, when asked about the social cost of the World Cup, following complaints about the eviction of hundreds of areas to build infrastructure, Blatter stated that this is a question that must be directed at the Brazilian authorities.
Blatter added: “With regards to the social aspect of the decisions taken by the government of Brazil, in the different regions and towns, as in other World Cups, we do not comment. It is an internal matter of the country.”
The world football chief also praised the choosing of former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo as an ambassador for 2014, stating that the Brazil legend is “a great player, jovial and full of life.”
