"It was a shame to read the newspapers and see that the federal government has united with FIFA to make 'the greatest World Cup of all time.' It's a troublesome lie. It won't be the greatest and we will be embarrassed. The federal government is deceiving the people. President Dilma is being deceived or is letting people deceive her. … It will be the greatest heist in the history of Brazil. Then I'll want to see if the people who were smiling in the photograph in that meeting will want to show up again. Brazil is a circus and you already know who the clowns are."

-- Romario, former Brazil star turned congressman, on the 2014 World Cup. (AP)