Romário

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Lore & Background

Romário's international career was defined by an unswerving belief in his own abilities, a trait he displayed even to coaches like Guus Hiddink. His style relied on rapid speed over short distances, allowing him to evade defenders before unleashing his signature finish. While he formed exceptional partnerships at club level with players like Hristo Stoichkov and Edmundo, his time with the national team was most celebrated for the 1994 World Cup run. His total of 55 goals in 70 caps places him fourth on Brazil's all-time list, a record built on efficiency rather than volume.

In Their Own Story

In the summer of 1994, Romário carried the hopes of Brazil through every match of the World Cup in the United States. He scored five goals in six appearances, guiding the Seleção to their fourth title. His performance was so dominant that he received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament and was named FIFA World Player of the Year later that same year. The journey culminated in a penalty shootout against Italy, where Brazil secured the trophy without conceding a single goal during regular time or extra time throughout the knockout stages leading up to it. Romário's ability to score crucial goals transformed him into a national hero, ending a 24-year drought for his country and proving that his unique style of play could conquer the world stage.

Reader's Guide

To understand Romário's impact on Brazil, look no further than the 1994 World Cup statistics: five goals in six matches. He is one of only a select group to score 100 goals for three different clubs, showcasing his longevity and adaptability. His goal-scoring rate with the national team remains elite; he finished with 55 goals in exactly 70 games. Beyond the World Cup, his recognition includes being named to the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004 and elected to the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002. He was also ranked fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll in 1999, solidifying his legacy as one of the most decorated footballers in history.

Did You Know?

• Romário is the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Brazil national team with 55 goals in 70 appearances.
• He received the Golden Ball as player of the tournament during Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph.
• In 2004, Romário was named to the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.
• Romário is one of only five players in history to score 100 goals with three different clubs.
• He finished fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll held in 1999.