MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIFA 2014 World Cup presents ambassadors and unveils the official poster

“Let’s go for victory!” said Marta Suplicy, Brazilian Minister of Culture on presenting the official poster.

The newly appointed ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday 30 January 2013, unveiled the tournament’s Official Poster at a media briefing in Rio de Janeiro. Four FIFA World Cup winners, Amarildo, Carlos Alberto Torres, Bebeto and Ronaldo, as well as women’s football star Marta, were invited by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke to end the suspense and help unveil the design.

The Official Poster was the last remaining visual icon to be launched for the 2014 edition of FIFA flagship event.

“The poster is a great example of Brazil’s creative excellence. The winning entry will no doubt serve as a splendid visiting card for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, that is due to kick off in 498 days. The poster highlights the significance and sparkle of the event as well as the fascination of football in a very emotive way”, explained Valcke, who was part of a high-profile judging panel also made up of Brazilian Minister of Culture Marta Suplicy, LOC President Jose Maria Marin, Brazilian artist Romero Britto as well as LOC Board of Administration members Ronaldo and Bebeto.

“It’s different, Brazilian, creative and daring. It has our boundless size and manages to capture our rhythm and colors. Let’s go for victory!” said Marta Suplicy, Brazilian Minister of Culture.

The Official poster was designed by Brazilian creative agency Crama, which was selected ahead of two other designs.

“The Official Poster is an important step for showcasing Brazil and the FIFA World Cup in the Host Country and abroad. It is important to convey the message of a country that is modern, innovative, sustainable, happy, united and, of course, passionate about football,” explained Ronaldo.

“I’m sure that when Brazilians see the official poster they’ll feel represented. We’re proud of this important symbol of the FIFA World Cup, which also shows the passion for football in our country,” added Bebeto.

The artwork depicts the beauty and diversity of Brazil through a colorful, emotional and vibrant design. The creative concept at the heart of the poster is “An entire country at football’s service – Brazil and football: one shared identity”, which inspired Crama to shape the winning design. This is evident throughout the poster, particularly where the players‘legs challenging for the ball reveal the map of Brazil.

Earlier in the day Amarildo, Bebeto, Carlos Alberto Torres, Marta, Ronaldo and Mario Zagallo, six of the biggest names in Brazilian football, had been officially presented as 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Ambassadors.

In their capacity as representatives of the spiritual home of football, the five world champions and the five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year will have the task of promoting the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. It will be their job to encourage people from all over the country and the world as a whole to take part in and celebrate these festivals of football.

The official presentation of the six Ambassadors followed the latest Brazil 2014 Organising Committee (LOC) board meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Though unable to attend the event for personal reasons, Zagallo sent a video message and said he was proud to be representing his country once again.

“I was a soldier at the 1950 World Cup and today I’ve been promoted to ambassador. It’s a very big jump,” said O Velho Lobo (The Old Wolf), clearly excited about his new role. “Together we will be victorious.”

A team-mate of Zagallo in Brazil’s triumph at Chile 1962, Amarildo said he was very impressed by the Brazil 2014 Ambassador line-up: “A team with so many stars would win the cup at a stroll. They’re all phenomenal.”

Marta expressed similar sentiments: “I’ve been in lots of other teams, but there’s no doubt it’s a tremendous honor to be part of a line-up packed full of stars and in support of something that I’m sure will be a success.” 

For his part, Carlos Alberto, the captain of the side that won Brazil’s third world crown at Mexico 1970, spoke of the honor of serving Brazilian football again as the country prepares to stage the event. (FIFA).-