Sports / Soccer

Rousseff cheers on national World Cup team

(Xinhua) Updated: 2014-05-08 15:17

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Wednesday cheered on the selection of national team to compete in the upcoming 2014 World Cup games, minutes after the 23-member lineup was announced.

Head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari unveiled the names of the players earlier in the day, with just 35 days to go before the opening match on June 12 in the country.

"Led by the talent of Neymar, the national team pursues the dream of its sixth championship," Rousseff said via Twitter, referring to the Brazilian-born star playing for Spanish club Barcelona, and to the fact that Brazil has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), more than any other team.

Italy won soccer's ultimate prize four times and Germany, three.

Rousseff also had words of praise for the national team's designated goalkeeper Victor, who plays for the team she roots for, Atletico Mineiro.

Rousseff then welcomed all the fans and tourists to Brazil.

"We love soccer and are proud of organizing this Cup of Cups," said Rousseff, adding Brazil will warmly welcome foreigners traveling to see the tournament in the South American country.

"All those who come to Brazil will be well-received and will find a multi-cultural country, with happy, hard-working people," she said.

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