Official World Cup ball unveiled in Rio
By Ross Karl
Reporter
Thursday 05 Dec 2013 6:50p.m.
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In Brazil, the word Brazuca refers to pride in the local way of life. But now the world knows Brazuca as the official ball of next year's FIFA World Cup.
The ball has been unveiled at a glamorous launch in Rio de Janeiro, and after heavy criticism of the 2010 edition Adidas is desperate to get this one right.
To make sure it did that, Adidas made it its most tested ball ever. It was trialled for two-and-a-half years by 600 players in 10 countries.
Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning captain, Cafu, says players must adapt to good and bad balls.
"It will be difficult for the guys but they have enough time to practise with it and get used to it before the World Cup begins," he says.
Like Cafu, Dutch great Clarence Seedorf is impressed.
"By touching it a little bit with my feet [I know] that it's a good ball. It has the right feel," he says. "Even when you put it in your hands the grip is okay and it looks nice."
Now the world's footballers have seven months to use Brazuca before we find out whether it's as good for football as the country that named it.