RIO DE JANEIRO, March 21 — Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Romario yesterday deepened their World Cup rift by indulging in a second slanging match in four days.

Having on Monday accused his fellow world champion of being to blame for the absence to date of promised free tickets for handicapped fans, Romario this time opened up with both barrels on the cost of renovating the Maracana.

“In relation especially to the World Cup, we are on opposite sides” of the debate, said Romario, now a lawmaker whereas Ronaldo is on the event’s Local Organization Committee (LOC).

“If for you it’s normal to spend a 1BRL  billion (RM1.43 billion) on renovating the Maracana (stadium), when all around hospitals and schools are crumbling, and public transport is poor then I guess you don’t care what I say,” Romario blasted.

Romario repeated his jibe about the non-appearance of 32,000 tickets — 500 per match — which were promised in 2011 on behalf of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

Ronaldo, on the LOC since 2011, said he was on the committee on a voluntary, unpaid basis given that “the Cup is for and belongs to the people and not to FIFA or the CBF or any other institution”.

The 2002 World Cup winner added in a Facebook posting: “It is to be regretted that Romario, once again, comes out and publicly blames me for things which are not within my remit.”

And he urged Romario: “If you want my help, be more educated next time.” — AFP