Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, praised the national soccer team's defense in Tuesday radio show following Brazil's 3-0 victory over Ghana in their first knock-out game in second phase of the 2006 Germany World Cup.

Speaking on government radio station, Radiobras, Lula said that defenders Juan and Lucio, and goalkeeper Dida had played well, and France, Brazil's quarter-final rivals must now be feeling worried. "Our opponents now have to start worrying about Brazil," he joked.

Lula had watched the match in Alvorada, the official presidential residence, alongside 21 ministers, wearing a suit. He famously usually watches Brazil matches wearing the country's team colors.

During the match Ronaldo Nazario scored the first goal, his 15th in the World Cup, breaking a World Cup goal scoring record.

The fact that Lula praised the defense but said little about the record, could be due to a spat between the two last week, during a conference call with the team, when he asked manager, Luis Alberto Parreira is Ronaldo was really fat.

The comment irritated the forward, who later told a press conference that the comments about his overweight were just as true as previously reported stories about Lula's alleged alcoholism.