Rio de Janeiro, May 8 (IANS): Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff cheered the selection of the national team to compete in the upcoming 2014 World Cup, minutes after the 23-member line-up was announced.
Chief coach Luiz Felipe Scolari unveiled the Selecao squad, as the Brazilian team is known, Wednesday, with just 35 days to go before the opening match June 12 in the country, reports Xinhua.
"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.
Brazil has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), more than any other team. Italy have won four times and Germany thrice.
Rousseff also had words of praise for the national team's goalkeeper Victor, who plays for the team she roots for, Atletico Mineiro.
Rousseff also 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 travelling 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.