U.S. soccer fans already knew the United States Men’s National Team was going to get screwed in its group pairing for the 2014 World Cup: they could have possibly faced Brazil or Italy (though they wound up in Group G with Ghana, Germany and Portugal.)
What U.S. soccer fans didn’t know was that they’d fall in love with Brazilian model and actress Fernanda Lima, who presented the World Cup draw from the Costa do Sauipe resort in Brazil on Friday afternoon. Twitter loved her in all languages.
The basic facts on Lima:
• 36 years old
• actress, model and TV presenter
• hosts “Amor & Sexo” (Love & s e x)
• partner/husband is actor Rodrigo Hilbert
• two children
We’re not sure how much more of Lima you’ll see during World Cup play (June 12- July 13), but we’re thinking that ESPN, who has the US broadcast rights, might want to sign her up pronto.
Fernanda Lima is no stranger to regular viewers of Brazilian television but she introduced herself to a global audience in stunning fashion on Friday. Lima, a Brazilian actress and television personality, emceed the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. She outshone the many dignitaries, soccer legends and other stars on hand at the glitzy gala in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil. Lima, 36, has appeared in a number of movies, including Flordelis — Basta uma Palavra para Mudar and the American comedy Stuck on You. She also featured in television shows Pé na Jaca and Por Toda Minha Vida and the newscast Fantastico. While those programs are popular in the Western hemisphere, the World Cup draw was broadcast to more than 250 million viewers in 193 countries. If she wasn’t a truly global celebrity before Friday, she certainly is now. Newfound fans should think twice before they start writing Lima love letters. She’s married. Lima teamed up with her husband, actor Rodrigo Hilbert, to ensure that the two-hour program that was the World Cup draw ran as smoothly as possible.