World Cup: US football fanatic finally reaches World Cup

In 2009, Gareth Leonard left his career in the US behind to go on an adventure and live in South America.

He had a five-year plan, and at the end the goal was to be in Brazil for the World Cup.

He succeeded and in the past weeks Leonard travelled to all World Cup host cities to get a first-hand view of the preparations and the feelings of the locals toward the big tournament.

The question remains - whom does he root for?

For the BBC's Franz Strasser met Leonard in Rio. He publishes his reports on his blog Tourist2Townie, external.

Most videos courtesy of Gareth Leonard, Tourist2Townie.com.

Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser