Ronaldo: 'Fantastic to have World Cup in Brazil'

Former Brazil international Ronaldo believes that his home nation deserved to host the World Cup this summer.

The 2014 tournament begins this week, with the five-time winners opening their Group A campaign against European side Croatia.

"It's fantastic to have the World Cup here in Brazil, which is one of the, if not the, biggest sporting events on earth," he told reporters.

"To have it here in Brazil is beyond deserved, because we're known worldwide as the football nation. And now we're going to show our culture, people and cities to the world.

"So it's a marvellous opportunity to show our Brazil to the entire world."

Ronaldo, who twice won World Cups with his country, is still the tournament's all-time leading scorer.