David Luiz Out to Spread Joy In Brazil

Behind the megawatt smile and mop of curly hair, David Luiz is aware of his duty to Brazil after being included in a World Cup squad for the first time.

It's not just any World Cup, of course, but the first in the South American nation since 1950.

"Of course, I feel the pressure," Luiz said after watching Wednesday's announcement of the squad. "Now is the moment to keep working hard because there will be a big pressure for us because we need to win," the Chelsea defender added. All the Brazilian people[are] waiting for that. It is a big pressure but makes us alive and you want that. You want to win" At the same time, th27-year-old Luiz does not want his cheery outlook to be repressed by the size of the task facing the team when they open the World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12.  "It is an amazing feeling, I'm so happy [to be selected]," Luiz said. "It's my dream come true since I was a young kid. My dream was about playing in the national team, and I'm lucky because I can play in a World Cup at home ... we are a lucky generation and we need to enjoy it."

The country has been riven with protests, some about the billions of dollars spent on the World Cup project at a time of social hardship, but football can be a unifying force. "Brazil has people in some places with such difficult situations," Luiz said. "They prefer to smile than cry because they love life. They love to be happy. That's Brazilian style."

If there is one player without a sense of self-importance, it is Luiz, knowing he is paid to do what his compatriots would love to.

"Everyone there loves football - 200 million people want to be in the squad," Luiz said. "Everyone dreams to see someone from the family in the squad ... life is too short to miss some things as well to enjoy life. I have the best job in the world." There is heartbreak elsewhere, though, with global stars Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho left out of Luis Felipe Scolari's squad, having fallen out of contention in their 30s.