RIO DE JANEIRO, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil football legend Ronaldo says he is embarrassed by the country's World Cup preparations, blaming government inaction for delays to key infrastructure projects.
Ronaldo, a member of the local World Cup organizing committee (LOC), also said protesters were wrong to use the tournament as a scapegoat for the country's ills.
"In 2007 when they (FIFA) decided that the World Cup would be in Brazil, President (Luiz Inacio) Lula (da Silva) signed everything and agreed to everything and then they get here and there's this bureaucracy, total confusion and lateness," Ronaldo told Reuters. "It's a shame. I am embarrassed. This is my country and I love it and we shouldn't be transmitting this image abroad. But we mustn't forget that Brazil wasn't perfect before the World Cup. It was the same or worse."
The World Cup will be staged in 12 Brazilian cities from June 12 to July 13.
Preparations for the tournament have been beset by the late delivery of stadiums and airports, budget overruns and concerns about security.
The two-time World Cup winner remains the tournament's highest scorer with 15 goals.
But the record is under threat from Germany's Miroslav Klose, who needs just one goal to match the tally.
"If he scores more goals than me then all credit to him," Ronaldo said. "I am not going to be cheering against him. The record was made to be broken. Someone will break it. I am under no illusions that it will remain forever."