How did your role as bid ambassador come about?
I was inspired by Qatar’s World Cup bid from the moment it was announced. Like the competition in South Africa this year, a Qatar 2022 World Cup would be the first time that the biggest tournament in the world has taken place in the Middle East. And I believe that, like Africa, it deserves this opportunity. The region is ready, and Qatar is the right place for it. Qatar has been working on a number of youth development projects in Cameroon, so when the Bid Committee approached me to become one of their ambassadors, I was obviously delighted. The manner of the Qatari approach was also important to me – the bid team knows a great deal about football, and this was decisive for me.

Why does Qatar deserve to host a World Cup?
Winning the privilege of hosting the World Cup will have the same inspirational effect which the whole continent of Africa will feel this summer. I genuinely believe this great tournament can change the world. I felt it as a player, when I was fortunate enough to participate three times with my national team, and even to reach the quarter finals in 1990, and now I feel it as a bid ambassador. If the World Cup is hosted in Qatar, it will bring enormous positive change through football to millions of children in the Middle East and beyond.

What do you think of the plans to develop Qatar in preparation – such as 12 new venues and a new airport? Can it be done?
If you look at what has already been achieved in this country in such a short time, you cannot fail to believe that Qatar will deliver on its promises. And then if you consider the list of top-level international and multi-nation sports events that Qatar has hosted and is due to host in coming years, it is extremely impressive.

Do you think the heat or humidity in summer will be a problem for players?
I think that the opposite will be the case. When I played at the World Cup in the USA in 1994 at the age of 42, temperatures were also very high. We managed fine, and I even scored a goal. But now what Qatar is planning is to revolutionise stadium cooling solutions, and keep temperatures steady and regulated. I think this is a sensible solution for the future of the game; it is for everyone’s comfort and safety.

As a bid ambassador, what will your role involve?
My role is to tell the people I meet about the Qatar bid. Perhaps some people are still unaware of the potential of this region to add something to the game. I will be travelling around the globe in the next few months to explain to people, and I hope convince them, that Qatar is ready to host the 2022 finals. Qatar has already convinced me that it is a passionate lover of football.

Coach Bora Milotinovic has also signed on as an ambassador – have you talked to him yet about it?
Yes, we have been in touch and have exchanged ideas. Like me, he is convinced that there is something important, something historic, happening here. We will be travelling together.

How does it feel to score a goal in the World Cup?
I would say that it is like an incredible explosion of joy which comes from somewhere in your stomach and takes hold of your whole body. Then there is also the pride, of course. There is nothing quite like it. In Italia 1990 I scored four goals and the world took a liking to my corner-flag goal celebrations. Of course they were purely instinctive, like my goals. I never planned to dance like that. It was just the joy of scoring which sent me to the corner flag.

Who will win this year’s World Cup in South Africa?
Well, the usual suspects like Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy are taking part, and Spain is a personal favourite of mine. I have to say watch out for Cameroon too. I think they have a real chance. Samuel Eto’o can be my successor on the world stage for my country. His form first for Barcelona and now for Inter Milan is impressive. Let’s see if he can keep scoring goals in South Africa. I will certainly be giving my team my moral support.
More info at www.qatar2022bid.com.