Romario

▪ 1995

      Idolized by the public, the despair of authority—Brazilian association football (soccer) player Romário de Souza Faria was one of the sport's most colourful players. In 1994 he led Brazil to victory and won the Golden Ball as the most gifted performer in the World Cup.

      Romário was born on Jan. 29, 1966, and brought up in Villa Pena, a Rio de Janeiro suburb. His first income was derived from cleaning car windshields at traffic lights. It was not until his father took him along to see the Olaria football club that any thoughts of a career in professional sports emerged.

      He signed with Olaria and developed rapidly. In a friendly match against Vasco da Gama he scored four times, a feat that persuaded Vasco to sign him. He won two championships with the team and scored 73 goals in 123 matches. Selected for the 1988 Brazilian Olympic team, he was leading goal scorer in the competition, and Brazil took the silver medal. In 1989 Brazil won the América Cup, with Romário scoring the only goal in the final against Uruguay.

      Romário then transferred to the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. PSV captured the League and Cup championships in his first season (1987-88), though Romário was already giving clear indications that he wanted to make a name for himself, not necessarily for the team. His control, mobility, and vision—allied to strength and fine body balance plus a surprisingly long stride—made him a potent striker. But he was disinterested in training, which he considered a waste of energy, and was fined for throwing temper tantrums, failing to report on time, complaining of the cold, and flying to Rio de Janeiro at every conceivable excuse. Though immensely popular with spectators, he was disliked by his fellow players and made no attempt to learn Dutch. His goal-scoring prowess, however, was undeniable. In five seasons he scored 125 goals for PSV.

      In March 1990, having already been banned from three internationals for being sent off against Chile for fighting, Romário broke his leg. He was clearly far from being match fit for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

      Romário had a disagreement with the Brazilian coach before the start of the qualifying matches for the 1994 World Cup because he wanted to select his own team. He was brought back for the crucial match with Uruguay and scored twice to guarantee Brazil a place in the finals. In the U.S. he behaved himself on and off the field and was the second-highest scorer, with five goals.

      Had the World Cup matured him? Perhaps not. In August he reported back 23 days late for preseason training with the Spanish club Barcelona, to which he had transferred in 1993, and was fined £50,000. Romário said that he was overseeing his Romário Foundation, a project to help Rio street children. (JACK ROLLIN)

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