Romário de Souza Faria, born on January 29, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a legendary former footballer renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring prowess and later, a prominent political figure in Brazil
⚽ Football Career Highlights
- Position: Forward
- Club Career:
- Vasco da Gama: Romário began and concluded his professional career with Vasco da Gama, where he became a fan favorite.
- PSV Eindhoven: He scored 128 goals in 149 matches, securing multiple Eredivisie titles.
- FC Barcelona: Under Johan Cruyff, he was instrumental in the “Dream Team,” winning La Liga in the 1993–94 season.
- Other Clubs: Played for Flamengo, Fluminense, Valencia, Miami FC, Adelaide United, and others.
- International Career:
- Brazil National Team: 71 caps and 55 goals.
- 1994 FIFA World Cup: Key player in Brazil’s victory, scoring five goals and earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
- Copa América: Champion in 1989 and 1997
Achievements
- Career Goals: Officially scored 768 goals in 994 matches; claims over 1,000 goals including friendlies and unofficial matches.
- Top Scorer: Led scoring charts in numerous leagues and tournaments throughout his career.
- FIFA 100: Named in the list of the world’s greatest living players by Pelé in 2004.
Playing Style
Romário was celebrated for his agility, precise finishing, and uncanny ability to find space in crowded penalty areas. His low center of gravity and quick reflexes made him a constant threat to defenders. Johan Cruyff once remarked, “Romário was a genius in the penalty area.”
Political Career
- Political Inception: Elected to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies in 2010.
- Senate: In 2014, elected to the Brazilian Senate representing Rio de Janeiro with a record number of votes.
- Advocacy: Focused on social issues, including rights for people with disabilities and combating corruption in sports.
