Romario has warned Brazil to improve their form ahead of the 2014 World Cup in order to avoid risking a humiliating first round exit on home soil.
The 45-year-old, who is regarded as one of the greatest footballers to ever represent the South American nation, told O Globo on Friday that the current form being shown by his country could see them bow out after only the first hurdle.
“If Brazil keep on playing the football they’re playing right now, they risk not getting past the first round,” he began. “Today, Brazilian football is technically inferior to Spanish.”
Romario has since turned his attention to strictly off-the-field matters since his retirement from professional football, becoming an MP with Brazil’s Socialist Party, while also taking the role of Defence against Persons with Disabilities within the World Cup Organising Committee for the finals in 2014.
However, he has been staunch in his criticism of Fifa for its handling of the showpiece event, as well as deriding their refusal to sanction free tickets for disabled persons.
“I made the request to determine whether it would be possible to guarantee a victory for our society and got a quick [negative] response,” said Romario.
“Fifa has been trying to override our sovereignty, they want to tell us how to run the country. There are still deputies who think as I do.”