Romario: the genius of goals who defied time and punctuality

A global football icon

Romario de Souza Faria, simply known as Romario, is remembered as one of the deadliest forwards in football history. Born on January 29, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, his career took off at Vasco da Gama, where he began to forge his legend with an impressive scoring record. His talent took him to Europe, where he shone at PSV Eindhoven before making the leap to FC Barcelona.

The 1993-94 season was a milestone in Romario's career. Under the guidance of the legendary Johan Cruyff, he became the top scorer in La Liga with 30 goals in 33 matches, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of culés. His debut was spectacular: a hat-trick against Real Sociedad that foreshadowed what was to come. However, his most memorable performance came on January 8, 1994, when he scored three goals against Real Madrid in a match that ended with a historic manita.

Romario not only excelled at club level; he also shone with the Brazilian national team. In the 1994 World Cup in the United States, he formed a fearsome partnership with Bebeto and was instrumental in Brazil winning their fourth world title. Additionally, he was awarded the Best Player of the tournament and received the FIFA World Player award. His ability to score decisive goals solidified his status as one of the greats of the sport.

Despite his undeniable talent, Romario was not known for his punctuality. After winning the World Cup, he reported 23 days late for the start of the 94-95 season with Barcelona. This behaviour caused outrage from coach Cruyff and created tensions within the team. Romario justified his absence by citing advertising commitments and charitable activities in Brazil.

Despite his off-field issues, Romario continued to be a starter until he eventually left Barça after a season full of ups and downs. He then had a brief stint at Valencia before returning permanently to Brazil, where he continued scoring goals until retiring at the age of 42. His legacy is not limited to football; he also ventured into politics as a deputy and federal senator.