Britto: "football in Brazil is art and culture"

Romero Britto knows everything about beauty, as attested by the recognition received for his work as artist, painter and sculptor. And a great connoisseur of football, is also thanks to his passion for this sport and their status as Ambassador of the FIFA for the World Cup of the Brazil FIFA 2014 ™.

Originally from Recife, although he lives in Miami, has returned this week to his country to visit the headquarters of the tournament along with the Secretary General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, the former Brazilian international Bebeto and Ronaldo and the Secretary Executive of the Ministry for sport Brazilian, Luis Fernandes.

Britto speaks to FIFA.com about what it means for him and his compatriots to organize World Cup of FIFA, the intense passion for football, his own relationship with the sport and its role of Ambassador of the FIFA, as well as the preparations for the event.

Rosemary, what means for you that FIFA World Cup will take place in Brazil in 2014?
Brazil is experiencing an exciting time. This country feels a huge passion for football and the FIFA World Cup. Even is almost more than a religion. I am convinced that only sport and in particular football, can unite a nation, and especially one as Brazil, where football is the meeting point of the world. No matter where it comes one or what you do, all love sport. Something is in which everyone can participate without having to pay for anything. And they can live moments of happiness and joy. Football can play anywhere, with anyone. Look at Pele: started playing with a ball made of socks. For me, personally, to return to Brazil now and become part of this historic moment, when the FIFA World Cup returns to Brazil after 60 years, is the largest.

What is your first memory of the FIFA World Cup?
Since I was a child, I have always followed the FIFA World Cup on television. Always see the FIFA World Cup has been fun. I remember some parties specific, for example the Germany, because I was there and I could see how a country organized the FIFA World Cup together with joy. Berlin enthusiasm overflowed, I went to the exhibition that there was Pelé. Actually, the most beautiful memory is having been part of it for the first time, because I was in the country. You would have never imagined that today would be traveling from one place to another with the Secretary General of FIFA and two idols of the football, Bebeto and Ronaldo, as Ambassador, as part of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

How it considering its role as Ambassador of FIFA?
I feel very honored and flattered by returning to Brazil as Ambassador of the FIFA World Cup of FIFA Brazil. He had always wanted to be an Ambassador of Brazil. And now I consider myself privileged to be working alongside Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, FIFA on this mission. Something exceptional is to work with so many cultures. It is spectacular. I hope my art to be a bridge between people and among common things. The artists have a passport to go to many worlds and many tribes, just like the players, and have the opportunity to use this platform to help and try to help promote positive social change. I hope that my art will inspire people so you can feel the enthusiasm and energy. As Ambassador Brazil to the world, I am willing to do everything possible to ensure that the event is an unforgettable experience for the Brazilians and all over the world.

How explain Brazil who not has never been in?
Brazil is almost a continent. Here many things they are going at the moment, it is a locomotive. Brazil is undergoing an amazing transition from colonial thinking of a few to a new thinking at the national level. Brazil is developing very well, with the leadership of one of the most passionate people who have never taken their head of State, President Dilma Rousseff, I think that it is also the first woman who presides over a host of the FIFA World Cup. He is preparing the country for even greater success, it takes long time to do so. Brazil now faces a great opportunity, not only do well in terms of the economy, but also in regards to the culture and society. Sport, and especially football, is the best tool to learn the discipline that will lead us toward our goals. If a person does not have the discipline to get up in the morning and feel motivated to influence the world, you can achieve anything. Here sport plays a very important role, with the passion that exists for this game to teach principles and values. I love to do sports, because I learn from athletes, to wonder how do them it so well and understand all the work that lies behind its success. And in recent years, Brazilians have begun to highlight in this area.

What gives you the football to the Brazilian people?
The Brazilians are connected through football. It brings joy and happiness to people who sees it. Many children are inspired to see play their idols, they dream of success, it helps them to set goals. In addition, the football requires discipline, determination and passion. Adds values to people, and often serves as their motivation to make an additional effort in order to go further in their professional lives. We have dreams, but in life we need the discipline that teaches football to make them a reality. That is something that can bring football and sports. People consider an inspiration to the young and successful players, and this has done to advance to Brazil.

What relationship do you have with football?
I grew up with six brothers played football, and of course I also played, although, of course, my main interest has always been the art. But football in Brazil is art and culture. Everything that surrounds the organisation of a football match I always fascinated. It is an inspiration to me and to my arts, the green of the grass, people screaming, vibrations and the emotions of the public celebrations, colorful. It is simply amazing. Personally, I never thought about making me a footballer, but I feel a great admiration for the players and their way of life. I still vividly remember my first encounter with Pelé, whom I also painted.

This week he has traveled some Brazil 2014 venues. Impression have they offered him?
For me has been an amazing experience, feel the vibration and the delivery of workers and the people of the cities, and see the effort that has been made. I started to feel really that the FIFA World Cup is taking shape in the cities. They have been a very emotional day for me. And this week visits were also very important, because they have shown that FIFA is concerned about cities and States and their success to host this tournament. Offices really appreciate that the General Secretary of FIFA, despite having a tight agenda, has been here to personally assess the FIFA World Cup on site. It has been an additional incentive for cities and States. And they have seen that the leaders of the cities have much grateful attention.

You already participated in the Football program for Hope in South Africa 2010...
I would love to get more involved. The festival of Football for Hope in Johannesburg was a fantastic experience. I hope that together we can organize, under the banner of Football for Hope, the biggest event of painting for children by all Brazil with all kinds of activities of painting on football topics to provide a platform for creativity and inspiration, as well as hope to communities disadvantaged boys and girls.