Ronaldo joins World Cup organizing committee

• AP, Thursday, December 1, 2011 12:49 PM

The striker who represented Brazil at four World Cup tournaments has signed on to assist his nation as host of the 2014 event. Ronaldo, who retired as a player last February, announced Thursday he has accepted an invitation to join the 2014 World Cup organizing committee. The 34-year-old Ronaldo said he will be the “voice” of the committee and will not receive a salary.

Brazilian soccer federation President Ricardo Teixeira will also serve on the three-man committee, along with one other member who has yet to be appointed.

“I have accepted this big challenge, which for me is a big honor,” Ronaldo said. “This World Cup does not belong to FIFA, nor to the [Brazilian soccer federation], the committee or the government. It belongs to the people who should be made to feel proud of hosting the World Cup. I will do my best to create the best World Cup ever.”

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year last represented Brazil in a competitive match at the 2006 World Cup when his nation lost to France in the quarterfinals. During that tournament he scored a record 15th World Cup goal to surpass Gerd Mueller for the all-time record. He was a non-playing member of the 1994 World Cup-winning team, played for the 1998 team that lost to France in the final, and led the 2002 championship team in scoring with eight goals, including two in the final.

Read the whole story at AP »