Ronaldo likes foreign flavor

Brazilian legend has no problem with players shuffling passports

Brazil's national squad could use a Lionel Messi, the country's former World Cup winner Ronaldo said Thursday.

Asked at a Rio press conference whether he would like a foreigner to play on the Selecao, he replied: "I would love to have a Messi or (Portugal star) Cristiano Ronaldo rejected in their country and then able to play with the national squad.

"If Messi did not play for Argentina, I would love to have him (with us). I would prefer Messi to Diego (Maradona), even though Diego is also my friend," he added with a chuckle.

The Brazilian great said he saw no problem with Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid's Brazilian-born striker, playing for Spain in next year's World Cup.

"Players who are not used in their own country and have a second citizenship are used by other countries," he said.

Costa recently indicated he would be keen to play for world champion Spain.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said he was prepared to call on Costa if FIFA declares him eligible.

"If a player cannot play for his own country, why would he not be able to play for another country?" said FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke.

Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 98 international matches for Brazil and was part of the national squad that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.

The question of eligibility came on the heels of England midfielder Jack Wilshere's comments that only English players should represent the national team.

The Arsenal star was speaking after it was revealed the Enlgish national governing Football Association had looked into the eligibility of talented Manchester United forward Adnan Januzaj to play for England.

Belgium-born winger Januzaj can play for the country of his birth, the countries where his parents were born, or the 18-year-old could represent England in 2018 on residency grounds if he remains in the country for the next five years.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo said young Brazil playmaker Neymar has improved since leaving Santos for Barcelona in June and could go on to become the best player in the world.

"He has evolved and I am sure he will evolve even more," said Ronaldo.

"If he keeps getting better he will be the best player in the world."

Ronaldo said Neymar could be firing on all cylinders by the time he returns to his home country for the 2014 World Cup.

"I am sure he'll be coming to Brazil an even better player," he added.

Ronaldo, whose sports marketing company has Neymar on its books, has good reason to talk up the 21-year-old and told the former Santos player that he needed to go to Europe to fulfil his potential.

While the young playmaker has been criticized for diving, he has shown in his first few months in Spain that he can shine alongside the best in the world, like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I am delighted with Neymar's start, he's playing well and scoring and creating goals," said the Brazilian Ronaldo, who also had spells with Real, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

"He has Messi alongside him, who is out of this world. In every game he is brilliant and scores two or three goals," he added of the Argentine forward.

Ronaldo is on the World Cup organizing committee but is now spending most of his time in London where he is studying business and marketing.

(China Daily 10/12/2013 page15)