Ronaldo on the field in San Diego. Photo Credit: Aaron Jaffe

World Soccer News: Brazil Confirms Ronaldo as member of World Cup Organizing Committee

Brazilian star Ronaldo has been named as the new face of Brazil’s 2014 World Cup Organizing Committee. Ronaldo, who retired in June, played for Brazilian side Corinthians and Spanish powers Barcelona and Real Madrid as well as the Brazil National Team. He will join current committee head Ricardo Teixeira on a new three-member Organizing Committee. A third member has not yet been named.

According to writer Duncan Mackay, Ronaldo was originally rumored to be Teixiera’s replacement on the Committee. The Brazilian star was reportedly a second choice for the position after Henrique Meirelles, former President of the Central Bank, turned down the role. Meirelles is currently head of the Autoridade Pública Olímpica, which is coordinating the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.

Teixeira, who is President of the Brazilian Football Confederation and a member of the FIFA Executive Committee, has been under fire for alleged corruption linked to ISL. The Swiss marketing company is alleged to have paid hundreds of millions of dollars for access to various top officials. Teixeira has also been criticized by Aldo Rebelo, the new Sports Minister of Brazil.

Finally, insideworldfootball.com reports that Teixeira was under pressure from FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke. The concern was that Teixeira’s continued presence on the Organizing Committee would affect preparations for the World Cup, which were already behind schedule.

In spite of the pressures, Teixeira will continue to head the Local Organizing Committee, possibly hoping that the appointment of Ronaldo will divert some of the attention. “Now is the time for reconciliation and to concentrate on making the 2014 World Cup the largest and most beautiful tournament of all time,” said Teixeira in a press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

During the conference, Ronaldo expressed his excitement at being named to the position, saying it was an honor to be named and to “pass on optimism for the Brazilian public” for the preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

Ronaldo will be the third high-profile player to have a hand in his country’s preparations for the World Cup, following the course of Michel Platini of France in 1998 and Franz Beckenbauer of Germany in 2006. There are some concerns, however, that Ronaldo will simply be a front for Teixeira, who will continue to call the shots. Ronaldo’s choice has been supported by Mario Zagallo, coach of the 1970 World Cup champion Brazil team.

For more details, visit worldfootballinsider.com

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