Romário

 Romario, a Brazilian footballer, was one of the finest strikers to ever play the game, and he shone for both the clubs he played for and the Brazilian national team during his career as a top-level footballer. Romario rose to prominence as a young star in Brazil in the mid-1980s, and after playing for Vasco da Gama and the Brazilian national team in key international competitions, he transferred to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, which catapulted him into the spotlight. He went on to play for Barcelona in one of their most legendary squads under Johann Cryuff after scoring at an incredible rate for five seasons. Romario's biggest achievement as a footballer came in 1994 when he led Brazil to their fourth World Cup victory in the United States, and he won the Copa America three years later. Despite fading abilities, he continued to play at the highest level of Brazilian club football until the age of 39, scoring routinely. Romario went into politics after retiring from professional football and had a great career. He was against Brazil's plan to host the 2014 World Cup due to the enormous costs involved.

Childhood and Adolescence

Romario de Souza Faria was born on January 29, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Edevair de Souza Faria and his wife Manuela Ladislau Faria. Despite his family's poverty, Enev's father encouraged him to pursue his dream of being a professional football player.

Romario began playing for Olaria football club in his hometown when he was a child, and after impressing the club's administration, he was handed a contract when he was only 13 years old.

Romario progressed swiftly as a footballer throughout his teenage years, and he rose to notoriety after scoring four goals in a game against Vasco da Gama. The management of Vasco da Gama was so thrilled that they hired him in 1985.

Career

Romario was a standout performer for Vasco da Gama's youth team, and after winning a couple of titles with them, he was selected for the Brazilian national team. He competed for Brazil at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and finished as the tournament's highest scorer, helping the team to a silver medal. Romario was vital in winning Copa America two years later, scoring the game-winning goal in the final.

Romario was signed by Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 1988 after his accomplishments for the Brazilian national team, and it was in the Netherlands that he rose to notoriety. He scored a total of 125 goals and led the squad to three league titles and a cup during his five years at the club.

Romario represented Brazil at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, however, due to a lack of match fitness, he was only able to play a minor role. Romario, on the other hand, scored five goals at the World Cup four years later in the United States, leading Brazil to a record-breaking fourth triumph.

Following his stellar performance for PSV Eindhoven, Romario joined Spanish giants Barcelona in 1993 and quickly established himself as a key member of the 'Dream Team.' During his stint at the club, Romario was a prolific goalscorer, netting 46 goals in 34 games and helping the club win the league title. Two years later, he departed Barcelona.

Romario joined Brazilian team Flamengo in 1995 and had two unsuccessful spells in Spain with Valencia during his five-year stay with the club. After forging a lethal attacking partnership with Ronaldo two years after joining Flamengo, Romario helped Brazil win the Copa America. He was not selected for Brazil at the World Cup the following year, which was hosted in France, since he was unable to recover from an injury.

In the year 2000, Romario joined Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, where he guided them to the Brazilian league title and the 'Copa Mercosur' during his two-year stay. In a total of 46 games for the club, he scored 41 goals. After that, he transferred to Fluminense, followed by a brief stint with Al Sadd in Qatar.

Romario returned to Vasco da Gama in 2005 and led the team with 22 goals, making him the season's leading scorer. After that, he had a brief run with Miami FC and also appeared in a few games for Adelaide United FC of the Australian division. He was also a player-manager at his former club Vasco da Gama, but he was fired as manager after getting into an argument with the owner, and subsequently tested positive for a banned substance, ending his career as a player.

Following his playing career, Romario entered politics and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2010 as a member of the Brazilian Socialist Party. Romario was elected to the Brazilian Senate four years later after receiving the highest number of votes ever received by a candidate from Rio de Janeiro.

Achievements & Awards

Romario received numerous awards over his career, the most notable of which was the 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year-Silver Award.

Romario is one of the greatest strikers in the history of the game, and his performance in the 1994 World Cup in the United States is without a question his best. In the tournament, he scored five goals and guided Brazil to a record fourth World Cup triumph.

Personal History and Legacy

In 2002, Romario married Isabelle Bittencourt. Romarinho and Isabellinha Faria are the couple's two children.