Ronaldo and Zico Honored in Carnival as World Cup Nears

To many people, Brazil is the country of “Carnaval” and “futebol.” As the country prepares to host the World Cup this year, floats paying homage to two of its biggest soccer stars will parade through Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Ronaldo, the striker whose goals brought the country the last of its record five World Cups in 2002, will be riding in the final Carnival float tomorrow as the biggest organized supporter group from Brazil’s richest team, Corinthians, honors him in Sao Paulo’s Sambadrome, the city’s main parade ground. Two days later, one of Rio’s biggest samba schools, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, will show off its official parade routine, a tribute to Zico who starred for the city’s Flamengo team.