Only Jesus can rescue Brazil's World Cup preparations, says Romario

By David Gold

June 25 – Brazilian legend Romario has criticised Brazil’s World Cup preparations and said that costs are spiralling out of control.

In his playing career Romario played 70 times for Brazil, scoring 55 goals, and enjoyed a glittering club career in Europe for PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona before finishing his career in Brazil.

He is now a member of Brazil’s Congress after being elected to the post in 2010.

Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup have been beset by problems, with two stadiums, one in Natal and the other in Sao Paulo, yet to even begin construction work.

And the country is also facing a significant challenge increasing its air space sufficiently to cope with the volume of air traffic in time for 2014.

The problems were highlighted publicly by FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke at the inaugural Inside World Football Forum in Moscow yesterday.

“Back then, when the Cup was handed to Brazil, there was much celebration,” said Romario, a 1994 World Cup winner.

“I said two things: Brazil not only had the conditions to hold the World Cup but also the best of all time.

“I hold by the first idea [but] I withdraw the second.

“Because from what I’m seeing, things aren’t going to happen.

“We’ll have the Cup but sadly we’ll have problems and it won’t be the best.

“The gospels say Jesus will return.

“Only he can ensure Brazil stage the best cup.

“If he comes down in the next three years, then it will be possible.

“There used to be a budget at the beginning of the preparations that has at least doubled.

“The way things are going, the stadiums will reach [a cost of] 15 billion [Brazilian] Reais (£5.85 million/$9.39 billion) and that’s absurd.”

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