Romário

Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁoˈmaɾiu]), is a Brazilian politician who previously achieved worldwide fame as a professional footballer. A prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing, he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.[1][2] Romário starred for Brazil in their 1994 FIFA World Cup success, receiving the FIFA Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll in 1999, was elected to the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002, and was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.[3][4]

Romário de Souza Faria
Official Senate portrait of Romário, 2015
Federal Senator from Rio de Janeiro
Assumed office
1 February 2015
Preceded byFrancisco Dornelles
Federal Deputy from Rio de Janeiro
In office
1 February 2011  1 February 2015
Personal details
Born (1966-01-29) 29 January 1966
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Political partyPODE
Height1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Spouse(s)Mônica Santoro (1988–1995), Danielle Favatto (1996–2001), Isabelle Bittencourt (2010–2012)
ProfessionFootballer
Association football career
Playing position(s) Striker
Youth career
1979–1980 Olaria
1981–1985 Vasco da Gama
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1988 Vasco da Gama 47 (17)
1988–1993 PSV Eindhoven 109 (98)
1993–1995 Barcelona 46 (34)
1995–1996 Flamengo 19 (8)
1996–1997 Valencia 11 (5)
1997 → Flamengo (loan) 4 (3)
1998–1999 Flamengo 39 (26)
2000–2002 Vasco da Gama 46 (41)
2002–2004 Fluminense 60 (34)
2003 → Al Sadd (loan) 3
2005–2006 Vasco da Gama 31 (22)
2006 Miami FC 25 (19)
2006 → Adelaide United (loan) 4 (1)
2007 Vasco da Gama 5 (3)
2009 America Football Club
Total 448 (309)
National team
1985 Brazil U20 11 (11)
1988 Brazil U23 11 (15)
1987–2005 Brazil 70 (55)
Teams managed
2007–2008 Vasco da Gama
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

At club level, after developing his early career in Brazil, Romário moved to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1988. During his five seasons at PSV the club became Eredivisie champions three times, and he scored a total of 165 goals in 167 games. In 1993, he moved to FC Barcelona and became part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", forming an exceptional strike partnership with Hristo Stoichkov. He won La Liga in his first season and finished top goalscorer with 30 goals in 33 matches. During the second half of his career Romário played for clubs within the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He won the Brazilian league title with CR Vasco da Gama in 2000 and was a three-time top scorer in the league. At the end of his career he also played briefly in Qatar, the United States and Australia.

Considered a master of the confined space of the penalty area, his rapid speed over short distances (aided by his low centre of gravity) took him away from defenders, and he was renowned for his trademark toe poke finish.[5][6] With 55 goals in 70 appearances, Romário is the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Brazil national team, behind Pelé, Ronaldo and Neymar.[7] He is second on the all-time list of Brazilian league's top scorers with 154 goals. He is the second-most prolific goalscorer in the history of football.[8]

Club career

Early years

From very humble origins, Romário was spotted in childhood when playing for Olaria, a small club from the Rio de Janeiro suburb. He was taken to the junior team of Vasco da Gama where he won two state leagues (1987/88) and earned his first call-ups to the national team. Romário came to international attention when he became the top scorer at the 1988 Olympic football tournament.[9]

1988–1993 PSV Eindhoven

Romário training with PSV in 1989.

Shortly after the Olympics he moved to PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Eredivisie in 1989, 1991 and 1992.[9] Renowned for his ability to operate in the confined space of the penalty box, Romário scored 165 goals in 167 games in five seasons at PSV.[6]

Driven by an unswerving belief in his abilities, Romário's laid back manner and overwhelming self-confidence would be displayed throughout his career, with Guus Hiddink, his coach at PSV, stating, "If he saw that I was a bit more nervous than usual ahead of a big game, he’d come to me and say: ‘Take it easy, coach, I’m going to score and we’re going to win'. What's incredible is that eight out of the ten times he told me that, he really did score and we really did win."[10]

1993–1995 FC Barcelona

Romário moved to Spain's FC Barcelona for the 1993–94 season and became part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", in which, along with players such as strike partner Hristo Stoichkov, midfielders José Mari Bakero, Pep Guardiola and Michael Laudrup, and prolific goalscoring defender Ronald Koeman, he helped the club win the La Liga title, while becoming the season's top goalscorer with 30 goals in 33 matches.[9] Barcelona also reached the 1994 UEFA Champions League Final, where in spite of being heavy favourites to win, they eventually lost 0–4 to Milan. The buildup to the final saw Spanish newspapers already declaring Barcelona as winners, while Cruyff told his team, "You're better than them, you're going to win".[11] With Romário and Stoichkov leading the Barcelona attack, Milan defender Paolo Maldini conceded his team were underdogs, but they were spurred on by what they perceived as arrogance from Barcelona.[11] One member of the Barcelona back room staff admitted Barcelona were complacent, "We went there to collect the cup, not to compete for it."[11]

"It has to be Romário. You never knew what to expect with him. His technique was outstanding, and he scored goals from every possible position, most of them with his toe, funnily enough."

Johan Cruyff when asked to name the greatest player he ever coached.[12]

One of Romário's best performances was scoring a hat-trick in the memorable 5–0 win over Real Madrid in the El Clásico at the Camp Nou, with the spectacular opening goal seeing him drag the ball around the defender without it leaving his foot before finishing with a trademark toe-poke into the corner of the net.[5] His highlight for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League came in the two games against Manchester United where he nutmegged Peter Schmeichel to score at Old Trafford, and scored again in the 4–0 win at the Camp Nou in front of 114,000 fans.[1][13] Reflecting on the game at the Camp Nou, Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, who played in defence that night, states: "Of all the great things that happened during my career, the thing that sticks out the most is that night because we got our backsides kicked big-style. Stoichkov and Romário are still etched in my memory, especially Romário, who was arguably the best player I ever faced."[13]

Romário was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994, after being the runner-up in 1993.[9] Although he was lauded for his performances, Romário was prone to controversy, and in 1994 he landed a left hook to Sevilla's Diego Simeone and was suspended for five games.[14] Romário left Barcelona unexpectedly in January 1995 after having a rift with coach Cruyff.[15]

1995–1999 Flamengo and Valencia

"When I was born, the man in the sky pointed to me and said, ‘That's the guy’.

— Romário on his ability.[16]

In 1995, Romário returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo and spent five years there excluding two short-lasting comebacks to Spain during that period.[6] During a Copa Libertadores match against an Argentine team in 1995, Romário kicked an opposition defender on the chest in retaliation for a punch on his teammate Edmundo.[17] He began the 1996–97 season with the Spanish club Valencia but after having heated arguments with then head coach Luis Aragonés he was soon loaned back to Flamengo.[18]

Romário returned to Valencia at the beginning of 1997–98 season. With their new coach Claudio Ranieri claiming that he did not want to have any players staying in the club against their will, Romário, stating needs of good preparation for the World Cup in France, left Valencia for good after playing just six league matches in the season. Once again he returned to Flamengo.[19]

2000–2005 Vasco and Fluminense

Romário rejoined Vasco da Gama in 2000 and linked up again with fellow international striker Edmundo. Forming a prolific partnership, the two forwards led Vasco to the final of the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship, with Romário finishing as joint-top goalscorer with three goals. The most notable performance from the pair was a 3–1 defeat of European champions Manchester United at the Estádio do Maracanã, where Romário scored twice in three first-half minutes and Edmundo added a third before half time.[20] Having previously got on well together at Flamengo, the volatile Edmundo became jealous of Romário's privileges, stating the club was "a court, Romário the prince and [club chairman] Eurico Mirando the king".[17] After Vasco's victory a few days later, Romário replied: "Now the court is happy: the king, the prince and the fool [Edmundo]".[17]

At 34 years of age, Romário had one of the best seasons in his career while winning the Copa Mercosur and the Brazilian league title with Vasco. Romário's performance was key in the Mercosur final where Vasco faced Brazilian rivals Palmeiras from São Paulo. After splitting the first two matches, a decisive third took place in São Paulo. Palmeiras took a 3–0 lead before half-time. In the second half however, Vasco scored four goals including Romário's winner in the stoppage time, which completed his hat-trick.[21] Romário received both the South American and Brazilian Footballer of the Year awards. He finished both the 2000 and 2001 seasons as the Brazilian league's top goalscorer.[22]

From 2002 until 2004, he played for Fluminense. In February 2003, Romário signed a lucrative three-month contract in Qatar with a club Al Sadd but after a disappointing stint without scoring a goal he returned to Fluminense.[23] On 21 October 2004 he was fired from the club after a conflict with the coach. He also attacked a fan who had thrown six live chickens at him during training.[14] Romário then went back once again to play for the team he started at, Vasco da Gama. In 2005, at 39 years of age, Romário scored 22 goals in the Brazilian Championship, making him the league's top goalscorer for the third time.[9]

Late career

In the beginning of 2006 Romário joined Miami FC along with former 1994 FIFA World Cup teammate Zinho. He helped Miami FC reach their first ever USL-1 Playoffs, scoring 19 league goals in 25 appearances for the team.

Seen as a publicity coup of the A-League's short history, Romário was signed by AUFC Board member Mel Patzwald to the Australian A-League club Adelaide United FC for a 5-game guest stint. He played his first match for Adelaide United FC on 25 November 2006 against the Central Coast Mariners FC. During his final game on 15 December 2006 he finally scored a goal for Adelaide to end what many considered to be a disappointing spell with the club.[24] In January 2007 he signed a new deal with Vasco da Gama.[25]

Thousandth goal

On 20 May 2007, Romário scored his 1000th goal, a penalty kick against Sport Recife, playing for Vasco da Gama. The Brazilian press claimed him as one of few players in professional football history to achieve this, like Pelé and Puskás.[26] The 1000th goal drew much attention from both Brazilian and international press, with the game being stopped for over 20 minutes to allow for celebrations from his fans.[27][28][29][30] There is some controversy over the validity of the 1000 goals, because the number is somewhat inaccurate and Romário's research team also counted his goals in junior, friendly and non-official games.[31][32]

FIFA congratulated Romário on his milestone goal[33] but stated he is still officially on 929 goals, as 77 came in youth football, with others being scored in friendly matches.[34] In 2008, Romário released a DVD with the best goals of his career totaling 900 goals in the disc.[35] Following the landmark goal, Vasco da Gama unveiled a statue of Romário at the Estádio São Januário.[36]

Player/Manager of Vasco da Gama

On 24 October 2007, it was announced that Romário would take charge of his first match as the interim manager of Vasco da Gama against Club América of Mexico in the return leg of their Copa Sudamericana quarter final and he would also participate on the field as a player. Romário, then 41 years of age, replaced Celso Roth as the manager of Vasco da Gama, and also played the match against Club América at the same time. The Vasco da Gama president Eurico Miranda declared to Globo Online that Romário would be in charge of the team for the match, but it is likely to only be temporarily. On 6 February 2008 Romário objected to Miranda's intervention in team selection, so was dismissed, but remained contracted to Vasco as a player.

On 4 December 2007, Romário announced he had tested positive for finasteride (aka Propecia) after a match against Palmeiras on 28 October. He claims it was in an anti-baldness treatment; however, the drug is banned as it is a masking agent for anabolic steroids.[37]

Retirement and comeback

On 5 February 2008, Romário announced his retirement both from playing and coaching, effective at the end of March. This move came somewhat unexpectedly, as fans anticipated that he would retire from playing, but not coaching. He made it clear that he will only concentrate on the FIFA Confederations Cup and helping with the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, on 27 March, Romário denied that he had retired.

Romário announced on 15 April 2008 at his DVD launch that he would retire from the game of football.[38][39] He cited his weight as a major factor in his decision to retire from the game. Romário played for many clubs that spanned across five continents for over two decades. He scored 71 goals in 85 appearances for Brazil (including appearances and goals in the Olympics) and claimed to have scored over 1,000 club goals. Romário officially announced his retirement from playing, saying:

Officially I'm not playing any more. I've stopped. My time is up. Everything has been a lot of fun.[40]

In August 2009, Romário announced that he would come out of retirement to play for America from Rio de Janeiro. He stated that he would play for the club to fulfill his father's wishes.[41] On 25 November 2009, Romário made his comeback. He came on during the 68th minute of the match between America and Artsul, replacing Adriano. Although he did not score, America won 2–0, which helped the club to win the title of the Second Division of the Carioca Championship.

International career

Romário's No.11 Brazil shirt (right)

As a member of the Brazilian national team, Romário won the silver Olympic medal in Seoul in 1988, finishing as the top-goalscorer with seven goals in six matches.[10] He attained the status of national hero at the 1989 Copa América as he scored the only goal in the final against Uruguay to end Brazil's long trophy drought in front of their own fans at the Maracanã.[10] He was part of the Brazilian squad in the World Cups of 1990 and 1994. He scored 71 goals in 85 international matches (including senior and Olympic teams), being the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Brazilian team.

1990 World Cup

Romário was one of the most talked about stars leading up to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, but picked up a serious injury three months before the big kick-off.[10] Despite doing everything to recover in time and being rewarded with a spot in the squad, his lack of fitness meant he was restricted to playing only 66 minutes in one match, against Scotland.[10] Brazil were eliminated in round of 16 by their rivals Argentina.[42]

1994 World Cup

In 1992, during Romário's successful season at PSV Eindhoven, he was called up to the national team for a friendly match against Germany on 16 December 1992 in Porto Alegre – Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira left Romário as a reserve, after which he expressed his dissatisfaction, saying he would not have come over from Netherlands if he had known he was not going to play. These declarations caused Parreira to ban Romário from the Brazilian team.[43]

Romário and his 1994 teammate Dunga (far left), with Brazil president Lula, hold the World Cup trophy

Brazil played the first seven matches of the 1994 World Cup qualification without Romário, and suffered their first loss ever in World Cup qualifying against Bolivia. His exclusion provoked a wave of outrage, with journalists and fans calling for his return to the team.[10] Brazil had to beat or tie against Uruguay at the Maracanã Stadium to finish first of their group. Before the match against Uruguay, Parreira gave up and called Romário. Back in his beloved number 11 jersey, prior to the game Romário stated: "I already know what is going to happen: I'm going to finish Uruguay".[44] Brazil won 2–0, with Romário scoring both goals, and qualified for the World Cup.[16] Parreira commented afterwards: "God sent Romário to the Maracanã".[44]

"They are both skillful players, outstanding players. They are matadors, killers inside the penalty area."

—Brazil coach at USA '94 Carlos Alberto Parreira on Romário and Bebeto.[9]

At the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, Romário partnered Bebeto in attack to lead his country to a record fourth World Cup title.[9] Romário scored five goals in the tournament: one in each of the three first round matches, against Russia, Cameroon, and a trademark toe-poke finish against Sweden.[45][46] He scored one against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals; and the game-winning header against Sweden in the semifinals.[46]

Romário also assisted Bebeto in the only goal of the match against the United States in San Francisco for the round of 16 elimination match. Although he did not get on the scoresheet in the final in Los Angeles against Italy, a game played in searing heat which ended as a goalless draw, he converted Brazil's second penalty in the shoot-out, which ended in a 3–2 win for Brazil.[9] Romário won the World Cup Golden Ball as the most valuable player of the tournament, and was named in the World Cup All-Star Team.[9] Romário is also the last player to have won the Golden Ball and the World Cup in the same tournament.[9]

Described by Jere Longman of The New York Times as "short on humility, long on talent", Romário demanded a window seat on the team plane and refused to sit next to Bebeto.[47] He did however join Bebeto in one of the most iconic images of the tournament. After Bebeto scored against the Netherlands in Dallas, his goal celebration generated headlines around the world when he began rocking an imaginary baby – his wife had given birth to their third child just days before – with Romário (and Mazinho) then joining Bebeto in the rocking motion.[48]

The Ro-Ro attack

In the subsequent years, Romário formed, along with fellow Brazilian forward Ronaldo, a feared attacking combo, which was colloquially referred to as the Ro-Ro duo. The first title which the strikers won while playing together in the front line, was the 1997 Copa América in Bolivia where they scored a total of eight goals. Later on in December 1997 they each scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win against Australia in the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup final.[49] Romário finished the tournament as the top-goalscorer with seven goals while Ronaldo added four. Just in 1997 the duo scored an impressive total of 34 international goals with 19 coming from Romário. The Ro-Ro attack was expected to headline the upcoming World Cup in France.

1998 and 2002 World Cup absence

Romário was left out of the 1998 World Cup squad. Medical exams had revealed that he had a muscular injury, and he received intensive treatment leading up to the tournament, but he did not recover completely and was dismissed the day of the deadline for the World Cup squad submissions.[50] Just after the decision was announced, Romário held a press conference where he broke down in tears while saying that "this is very sad for me, a big disappointment. This is a very difficult moment in my life".[51] Brazil lost the World Cup final against hosts France.[52][53]

Prior to the 2002 World Cup, Romário, aged 36, was in considerably good form while playing for Vasco da Gama, but once again he was left out of the national squad by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari due to indiscipline. The final incident happened when he pulled out of the Brazil squad for the 2001 Copa América in Colombia. He told Scolari that he was having an eye operation, but played friendlies for club side Vasco da Gama in Mexico and went on holiday instead.[54] Those calling for his reinstatement included President Fernando Henrique Cardoso,[16] and Romário gave a televised news conference in which he made his case and apologised, bursting into tears three times, though he said he could not remember doing or saying anything against the manager and the players.[55] The BBC's South American football correspondent, Tim Vickery, called Romário's news conference "bizarre" and reported that there were "increasingly credible rumours" that "senior players asked Scolari not to recall the veteran striker".[55] Scolari was unmoved and did not pick him, saying before his squad announcement that Romário's exclusion was "technical and tactical". After the announcement, he said that it was as a result of Romário's withdrawing from the Copa América: "People forget the details, but I do not. I almost got fired from the national team after [the Copa América]." (Brazil had been beaten in the quarter-finals by Honduras.)[54] Asked if he would watch Brazil's games on television, Romário, known for late night partying throughout his career, replied: "The games start at six o'clock in the morning. At that time, I'm usually getting home."[16] Without Romário, Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the fifth time.[56][57]

Last game for Brazil

Romário at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland in 2007 at the announcement of Brazil being named hosts of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

On 27 April 2005, Romário played his last game with the Brazilian national team in a friendly and celebratory match in São Paulo.[58] He wore the captain's armband and scored the second goal in Brazil's 3–0 win against Guatemala.[58] Following the end of his playing career with Brazil, Romário successfully campaigned for Brazil to be awarded host status for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[59]

Footvolley and beach soccer

Since the 1990s Romário has been a footvolley enthusiast, playing with friends in various tournaments. In 2006, he won the VIP Footvolley.net Open in Miami Beach, USA; and was runner-up in the 2011 Footvolley World Championship in Rio de Janeiro. He also plays Beach soccer and represented Brazil (won the Bronze medal) at the 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.[60]

Style of play and recognition

"We're talking of one of the great centre-forwards. He's a master of the reduced space of the penalty area. A square metre for him is like an acre. Why? Low centre of gravity, powerful thighs so he can explode, wonderful finishing ability. Both because he's very proficient technically, but also because he's so cold in front of goal."

— Tim Vickery, BBC football correspondent.[6]

Romário is regarded as one of the greatest and most prolific strikers of all time.[6][61][62][63][64] His coach at Barcelona, Johan Cruyff, defined him as a "genius of the goal area", as well as the greatest player he ever coached.[12][65] His Brazilian compatriot Ronaldo, who played with him in his early career, reflected, "Romário was the most decisive player who I played with, he was a great goal scorer, finisher, skillful, opportunist. I think I learnt all of that from him".[66] Italian playmaker Roberto Baggio said "Romário is one of the greatest players of all time. He is a master of art in the penalty area,"[67] a view echoed by Paolo Maldini with, "Romário was incredible in the penalty area."[68] Diego Maradona on who was the best player he ever saw play, "It is between Romário and Van Basten".[69] Romário wore the number 11 shirt for most of his club and international career, which inspired Neymar's number at Santos (he also went on to wear number 11 for Barcelona).[70]

Along with two other FIFA World Player of the Year recipients, Brazilian compatriot Ronaldo and Liberian star George Weah, Romário was seen as a new breed of striker in the 1990s who would also operate outside the penalty area before running with the ball towards goal, with former France striker Thierry Henry stating; "Ronaldo together with Romário and George Weah, reinvented the centre-forward position. They were the first to drop from the penalty box to pick up the ball in midfield, switch to the flanks, attract and disorientate the central defenders with their runs, their accelerations, their dribbling."[71] Nicknamed Baixinho (Portuguese for "The Little One," or "Shorty") Romário was an extremely agile player, who possessed excellent balance on the ball, and significant strength in spite of his small stature, which made him particularly effective in tight spaces in the penalty area, and allowed him to retain possession of the ball when put under pressure by larger players; his low centre of gravity and quick bursts of acceleration enabled him to outrun opponents over short distances and beat defenders with sudden turns or changes of pace, while his technique and finishing saw him score goals with powerful and accurate first-time strikes – notably toe-pokes with little back-lift.[5] His ball control and dribbling skills saw him use elaborate feints, such as: dragging the ball around a defender without it leaving his foot, and the flip flap.[72][73][74]

While he could operate outside the penalty area in making runs from deep, Romário built a reputation as an extremely opportunistic "goal-poacher" inside the penalty area.[75][76][77] He was known for his intelligence, offensive movement, and positional sense, as well as his ability to find space in the area and lose his markers by making late runs.[72] In addition to his goalscoring, he was also known for his speed, as well as his creativity and vision, which gave him the ability to link-up with and provide assists for teammates.[61][64][77][78] This enabled him to form many notable attacking partnerships with other prolific, technically gifted forwards, such as Stoichkov (at Barcelona), Edmundo (at Flamengo) and Bebeto and Ronaldo (with Brazil).[79][80][81] In spite of his talent, however, Romário was also criticised for being too outspoken, and for his poor work-rate throughout his career, in particular for his vocal dislike of training.[6][64][75] The Guardian states, "Romário has never been much of a committed athlete and has always had a rather laissez-faire approach to training. "The night was always my friend. When I go out, I am happy and when I am happy I score goals", he once summarised."[17]

Media and sponsorship

Romário has appeared in commercials for the sportswear company Nike.[82] In 1998, he starred in a Nike commercial set in an airport with a number of stars from the Brazil national team, including Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.[82] Romário features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was included in the FIFA 14 Ultimate Team Legends.[83]

Political career

Romário in the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil on 6 May 2010

In the 2010 general election, Romário was elected to the Chamber of Deputies on the Brazilian Socialist Party ticket. He was the sixth most voted candidate for deputy in Rio de Janeiro.[84][85]

He pushed his political agenda against the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, denouncing the event as immersed in corruption and money laundering.[86][87] He also expressed disagreement with Sean Kiley, Ricardo Teixeira, Jérôme Valcke and Sepp Blatter.[88] He is one of various figures claiming that the holding of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was "stolen" from England and sold to Russia in a part of 2011 scandal by FIFA.[89]

On 19 February 2014, Romário announced that he would run for the Brazilian senate in the 2014 general election,[90] and the decision was officially confirmed in June.[91] On 5 October, Romario was elected to the Brazilian senate with the most votes received ever by a candidate representing the state of Rio de Janeiro.

In June 2017, Romário left the PSB and joined Podemos, becoming president of the party in the State of Rio de Janeiro.[92] In March 2018, Romário announced he is to run for governor of Rio de Janeiro in the Brazilian general election and would stand as a candidate for the centrist Podemos party.[93] Romário finished in fourth place, with 8.6% of valid votes.[94]

Personal life

His son, Romarinho, also played for CR Vasco da Gama in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.[95]

Career statistics

Club

Club statistics;[96]

Season Club League League Regional league Cup Continental Other[nb 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1985 Vasco da Gama Série A 702111002811
1986 23925204829
1987 17824164124
1988 0024162416
Total 4717946314180
1988–89 PSV Eindhoven Eredivisie 24195422313426
1989–90 202332462731
1990–91 252535203030
1991–92 1491020101819
1992–93 26223397103932
Total 109981514191551148128
1993–94 Barcelona La Liga 333020102204732
1994–95 1340053187
Total 463420155206539
1995 Flamengo Série A 168212651424637
1996 3019265100643331
Total 198405210242647968
1996–97 Valencia La Liga 54000054
1997–98 611172
Total 1151100126
1997 Flamengo Série A 4318188700673635
1998 201411104634214035
1999 191215167778635446
Total 43294444192010121411130116
2000 Vasco da Gama Série A 2720171321111114117156
2001 1922111300953940
2002 00587513132526
Total 464233349620162724135122
2002 Fluminense Série A 261600002616
2003 21134500002518
2004 13596222413
Total 60341311227547
2002–03 Al-Sadd (loan) Qatar Stars League 300030
Total 3030
2005 Vasco da Gama Série A 3122107214330
2006 001061300119
Total 31222013345439
2006Miami FC USL 1st 2519102619
2006–07Adelaide A-League 410041
2007 Vasco da Gama Série A 6391032101915
2009 América-RJ 00100010
Total450312254227655169505440892680

International

International goals;[97]

National teamSeasonAppsGoals
Brazil 198764
198872
1989114
199010
199220
199312
19941010
19971719
199873
200027
200153
200511
Total7055

Honours

Notes

  1. Includes UEFA Super Cup (1988), Intercontinental Cup (1988), Dutch Super Cup (1991, 1992), Supercopa de España (1993), FIFA Club World Cup (2000).

References

  1. "The Joy of Six: Great finishers". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2013
  2. "Romario: Neymar isn't as good as me … yet" Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. MSN. Retrieved 19 November 2013
  3. "Pele's list of the greatest". BBC Sport. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  4. "FIFA Player of the Century" Archived 26 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine. FIFA. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  5. "Strikers' trademark goals: the Thierry Henry control-and-place, the Romario toe-poke and more". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2013
  6. "Romario: From football rebel to politician". BBC. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  7. "Romário de Souza Faria – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 June 2014
  8. "Best Goalscorers All-Time (Official Matches)". RSSSF Archive. 25 September 2013.
  9. "Romario is legen......dary" Archived 4 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Fox Sports. Retrieved 19 November 2013
  10. "The one-off darling of '94". FIFA.
  11. "Barcelona v Milan revisited: The night in 1994 the Dream died". The Guardian. 15 March 2015.
  12. "In praise of the toe-poke". FIFA. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  13. "Manchester United v Barcelona: six of their best showdowns". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2014
  14. "Two steps to heaven for Romario as Brazil's old man chases 1,000 goals". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  15. "Romario ready to return to Brazil". The Independent. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  16. "'Chosen One' Romario writes his own history" Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 November 2013
  17. "Romario: to 1,000 goals and beyond". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  18. "The most talked about fights in Spanish football". ABC.es. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  19. "Valencia coach wants Romario to leave". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  20. "Manchester United 1 – 3 Vasco da Gama". The Guardian. 9 January 2000. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  21. "Bleacher Report". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 19 March 2005.
  22. "Veteran Romario finishes as Brazil top scorer". ESPN. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "John Kosmina not keen on super marquee player for Adelaide United". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  25. "Romario still going strong at 40". FIFAworldcup.com. 1 February 2006.
  26. "Romario notches 1,000 goal" Archived 27 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Sportsnet.ca. 20 May 2007.
  27. "Romario nets 1000th goal of career" Archived 23 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine. CNN. 20 May 2007.
  28. "Romário converts penalty for 1,000th goal". Sports Illustrated. 20 May 2007.
  29. "Imprensa internacional destaca milésimo gol de Romário" (in Portuguese). Folha Online. 20 May 2007.
  30. "Romário 1.000 goals" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. 20 May 2007.
  31. "Controversy on the road to 1,000". BBC News. 21 May 2007.
  32. "Romario writes his own history". Daily Mail. 21 May 2007.
  33. "Romário completes a famous 1,000". FIFA. 21 May 2007.
  34. "Romario bags 1,000th career goal" Archived 27 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Miami Herald. 21 May 2007.
  35. "Romário lança DVD e diz que Ronaldo está cheinho, mas vai esvaziar" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. 5 August 2008.
  36. "Romario finally hits 1,000-goal mark". Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2013
  37. "Romario fails doping test, blames hair medicine". ESPN Soccernet. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
  38. "Brazil legend Romario calls time on career". FourFourTwo. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  39. "Brazil legend Romario ends career". BBC. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  40. "Brazil's Romario retires". Al Jazeera. 15 April 2008.
  41. "Romario announces comeback". ESPN Soccernet. 13 August 2009.
  42. "World Cup 1990".ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2014
  43. "Brazil in the 1994 World Cup". Virtual-Brazil.com. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  44. "Reinstated Romario saves Brazil". FIFA. Retrieved 5 December 2013
  45. "36 days to GO-AL! Romario (USA 1994)". FIFA. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  46. "FIFA Player Statistics: Romário". FIFA. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  47. "WORLD CUP '94; Romario Is Short on Humility, Long on Talent". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  48. Jon Carter (26 May 2010). "First XI: World Cup celebrations". ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010.
  49. Match Report. FIFA. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  50. "Brazil in the 1998 World Cup". Virtual-Brazil.com. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  51. "SOCCER – WORLD CUP -- BRAZIL – An Injured Romario Is Dropped". NY Times. 3 June 1998.
  52. "Zidane lights the blue-touch paper for France". FIFA. Retrieved 6 November 2014
  53. "The mystery of Paris that refuses to go away". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  54. "Scolari on Romario snub". BBC News. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  55. "Romario's last chance". BBC News. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  56. Lawrence, Amy (29 June 2017). "Ronaldo's redemption: recalling the Brazil striker's World Cup fairytale 15 years on". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  57. "Ronaldo's Redemption: 2002 World Cup documentary". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 25 September 2018 via YouTube.
  58. "Brazil beats Guatemala in star's finale". USA Today. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  59. “Brazil officially named 2014 World Cup hosts”. Reuters. Retrieved 4 July 2018
  60. FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2005, FIFA.
  61. John Brewin (8 April 2015). "World Cup All-time Top 20: No. 15 Romario". ESPN FC. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  62. "Biografia Calciatori da Leggenda: Romario" [Legendary footballers: Romario]. Calcio Magazine (in Italian). 12 June 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  63. Jere Longman5 (5 June 1994). "WORLD CUP '94; Romario Is Short on Humility, Long on Talent". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  64. Jack Rollin. "Romário". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  65. "Romario falls short in quest of 1,000th goal". HULIQ.com. 5 April 2007.
  66. Ronaldo: “Romario was the most decisive player who I played with”. Copa2014.gov. Retrieved 20 November 2013
  67. Roberto Baggio's world Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Pro-Paul.net. 2001.
  68. "Ronaldo and Romario are the best Brazilian players that I've ever faced." Archived 21 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Sulia.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014
  69. "Ele Nao Se Cala". p. 74. Placar Magazine (Edition. 1315, Feb 2008). Retrieved 20 November 2013
  70. "Santos star Neymar: Romário inspired my number 11 shirt". Sambafoot.
  71. "Ronaldo, Romario Reinvented Striker's Role, Says Thierry Henry" Archived 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. In Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2015
  72. Tim Vickery (2 April 2007). "Tim Vickery column". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  73. Lowe, Sid (2013). Fear and Loathing in La Liga: The True Story of Barcelona and Real Madrid. p. 288. Random House
  74. "Neymar unveils his 'ultimate player'". CNN. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  75. "Brazil legend Romario ends career". BBC Sport. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  76. "Hristo Stoichkov: Perfect XI". Four Four Two. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  77. "Once teammates, Romario and Bebeto now bitter rivals on pitch of politics". The National. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  78. John Molinaro (9 June 2018). "History of the World Cup: 1994 – Coming to America". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  79. "Romario: I've done it all". FIFA. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  80. "Bebeto: The ultimate moment". FIFA. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  81. Phil Hersh (13 July 1994). "Together, But Not Always In Harmony". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  82. Jackson, Steven J. (10 November 2004). Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation. Routledge. p. 186.
  83. "Romário FIFA 14 Legends". futhead.com. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  84. "Romário" Archived 27 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese). Romario4011.com.
  85. "Sexto candidato a deputado federal mais votado do Rio, Romário rejeita paralelo com Tiririca" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. 4 October 2010.
  86. "Romário chama Mundial de 2014 de ‘Copa da mentira’ e alfineta Ronaldo" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. 11 April 2012.
  87. "Romário diz que Copa de 2014 será o 'maior roubo da história'" (in Portuguese). Globo.com. 18 March 2012.
  88. "Romário detona Ricardo Teixeira e Jerome Valcke" (in Portuguese). YouTube. 8 November 2011.
  89. "Ricardo Teixeira é convocado por Romário para esclarecer denúncia de corrupção" (in Portuguese). Mtv.uol.com. 9 November 2011.
  90. "Football great Romario eyes Brazil Senate seat" Archived 14 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. NDTV. Retrieved 23 August 2014
  91. "Campos confirma Romário para Senado no Rio". Brasil 24/7.
  92. "Romário sai do PSB e diz que presidirá o Podemos no Rio de Janeiro". Gazeta. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  93. "Brazil ex-football star Romario seeks Rio state governor post". BBC News. 18 March 2018.
  94. https://www.eleicoes2018.com/candidatos-governador-rio-janeiro/
  95. "Romario DNA no guarantee for success – Romarinho struggling in Brazilian lower leagues". goal.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014
  96. "Romário; european career stats". Football Database.eu. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  97. "Romario". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  98. "South American Team of the Year". 16 January 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  99. Marcelo Leme de Arruda (24 July 2014). "World All-Time Teams". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  100. "Legends". Golden Foot. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  101. "The greatest team of all-time Marca". Sport.net. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  102. "Salón de la Fama del Fútbol, Pachuca – Generación 2014". Salón de la Fama del Futbol A.C. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  103. “Pelé devait être le recordman”. France Football. Retrieved 4 July 2018
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.