Brazilian striker Ronaldo said he was overjoyed to have helped Brazil to their fifth World Cup success.
Ronaldo scored two second-half goals to seal a 2-0 triumph over Germany in Yokohama.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be a Brazilian tonight,” said Ronaldo, whose goals earned the Golden Boot as the competition’s leading scorer.
Ronaldo who has barely played over the lastthree years due to a succession of debilitating injuries, was happy to share the credit with his team-mates.
“The whole squad has worked very hard. I worked for two and a half years to be here tonight. We are all so happy to have landed this fifth championship,” he said.
Brazilian skipper Cafu paid tribute to the 25-year-old forward.
“He suffered so much for two years. Well done!” said Cafu.
“We are really happy – it’s a great moment.”
Coach Luis Felipe Scolari, who was criticised was for his negative tactics, in the build-up to the competition, was understandably delighted.
“It is a great feeling that Brazil are world champions. I share in the happiness and the joy that the Brazilian people are feeling right now,” Scolari.
“We feel joy at knowing we did our job – but it was hard work. Nobody could truly have imagined this.
“I wanted to transmit to the players the idea that in Brazil to be second is to be last,” he added.
“Our mentality is to be first and it’s marvellous that we have achieved that.”
