Romário epitomized the flamboyant image often associated with Brazilian footballers: abundant talent, a remarkable goal-scoring record, and a flair for living life with a touch of Carnival spirit. Yet, unlike many of his compatriots who were known for their constant smiles and joyous demeanor, Romário was notably more reserved. His on-field artistry was undeniable; with the ball perpetually glued to his right foot, he was a master in tight spaces, capable of creating moments of brilliance in less than a square meter. While Romário himself claimed to have scored over a thousand goals, independent records generally credit him with around 700, which still represents an extraordinary achievement.
Despite his impressive goal tally, Romário’s career was marked by a notorious lack of professionalism. He famously stated, “I am not an athlete. I don’t train; I rest and eat well. I am a center forward. I am authentic, clear, real, and tough.” This declaration encapsulates his approach to the game: he relied more on natural talent than rigorous training and discipline.
Romário’s casual attitude often led to conflicts. His laziness and disregard for training schedules were a constant source of friction. His tendency to stay up late and wake up late meant he frequently arrived late for training sessions, disregarding club regulations. During his time at PSV Eindhoven (1988-1993), his behavior became so problematic that his teammates demanded intervention from coach Bobby Robson. In response, Romário challenged anyone in the squad to beat him in a five-a-side game, asserting that if they succeeded, he would comply with the team rules. If not, he expected them to leave him alone.
His rebellious nature wasn’t confined to his relationship with teammates and coaches. Romário also had high-profile disputes with some of the greatest figures in football, including Johan Cruyff and Luiz Felipe Scolari. Perhaps most notably, he clashed with Pelé, Brazil’s most revered footballer. Both players had impressive but disputed goal-scoring records. Romário, known for his brash confidence, once remarked, “Pelé is a poet when he’s quiet. It would be good to put a shoe in his mouth.” This comment was a jab at Pelé’s often unprovable claims about his own goal-scoring feats. Pelé, who won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970, was frequently compared to Romário, who asserted that he had surpassed the legendary forward in terms of accurate goal-scoring.
Romário’s fiery personality was not just limited to verbal altercations. He had a reputation for engaging in physical confrontations. After one particularly intense clash, he boasted, “I broke three teeth and had 50 stitches, but when I woke up, I had no marks. Did you expect me to come here with a broken face? I was born in the Jacaré neighborhood; I’m good at fighting.” This statement reflects his gritty background and resilience, showing that he was as adept at handling physical confrontations as he was at scoring goals.
In 1994, Romário was honored as the best player in the world by FIFA. This was a year when the Ballon d’Or, which at that time was awarded exclusively to European players, did not recognize non-European talents. Additionally, Romário was named the best footballer of the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, further cementing his status as one of the world’s elite players. Despite his achievements, Romário was never one to downplay his own abilities. He famously declared, “When I was born, Father in Heaven [God] pointed to me and said: this is the guy.”
Romário’s career was decorated with numerous titles and honors. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and added two Copa América titles (1989 and 1997) and a Confederations Cup (1997) to his international accolades. On the domestic front, he secured a Brazilian championship (2000), a Mercosur Cup (2000), and two Rio de Janeiro championships (1987 and 1988) with Vasco da Gama. His successful stint with Barcelona included a Spanish championship and Super Cup (1993-94). In the Netherlands, he won three league titles (1988-89, 1990-91, and 1991-92), two Dutch Cups (1988-89 and 1989-90), and a Dutch Super Cup (1992-93) with PSV Eindhoven. He also enjoyed success with Flamengo, claiming a Mercosur Cup (1999) and two Rio de Janeiro championships (1996 and 1999), and ended his playing career with a Qatar Cup (2003) with Al-Sadd.
Despite announcing his retirement in 2008, Romário made a surprising comeback with América do Rio de Janeiro the following year at the age of 43. His enduring passion for the game led him to return once more in 2024, now at the age of 58, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to football.
