But while the team insisted they were impervious to the weight of expectation, the legions of Brazilian journalists covering individuals whose celebrity knows no bounds in a country whose 180 million inhabitants lap up every column inch, were also feeling the heat.

Monday afternoon's appearance at the Olympic Stadium brought a bigger than ever media crush as some 500 journalists clamoured to seek words of wisdom from those willing to have several dozen microphones, assorted mobile phones and as many camera lenses thrust into their faces.

Ronaldo, tired of trying to tell the world he isn't carrying too much around the midriff, raced through the scrum, pausing only to insist "I'm fine" before jogging to the sanctuary of the team bus.

As serial champions the Brazilians are used to matchday pressure while their media have to adopt a siege mentality with deadlines constantly appearing.

"It's true, we are under big pressure. I have to file five bulletins minimum per day. Then there are four programme editions of 20 minutes each and as much news surrounding the 'Selecao' as I can get my hands on," said Fabio Morais of Rio radio station Radio Litoral.

If the broadcast media are struggling, their workload is no worse than that of their written press counterparts.

"Our papers have all brought out 24-page supplements and there are special editions to fill," Gerson Nogueira of Diario do Para based in the city of Belem, told AFP.

"We have to keep them up to date with a whole raft of news - I think there are well over 400 journalists covering Brazil from around the country," he said, dodging several camera crews and their equipment as they chased after the final squad members still lingering for interview.

For Morais, "this is the Brazilian journalist's lot at a major event - and they don't come bigger than the World Cup.

"The supporters are such fanatics, and we must transmit the emotion, the passion, the euphoria of being at the World Cup.

"Anything less and the listeners, the viewers and the readers would feel disappointed."

As Nogueira put it, when it comes to football the whole nation has zero desire to 'shoot the messenger.'

"They're hanging on virtually our every word. A Brazilian win is the whole country's dream."