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Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário (Brazilian Portuguese: ), is a Brazilian politician who previously achieved worldwide fame as a professional footballer. A prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing, he scored over 750 goals and was the first player to score at least 100 goals for three different clubs. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Romário starred for Brazil in their 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph, receiving the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century internet poll in 1999, was elected to the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002, and was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.
At club level, after developing his early career in Brazil, Romário moved to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1988. During his five seasons at PSV the club became Eredivisie champions three times, and he scored a total of 165 goals in 167 games. In 1993, he moved to FC Barcelona and became part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", forming an exceptional strike partnership with Hristo Stoichkov. He won La Liga in his first season and finished as the top goalscorer with 30 goals in 33 matches. During the second half of his career Romário played for clubs within the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He won the Brazilian league title with CR Vasco da Gama in 2000 and was top scorer three times in the league. At the end of his career he also played briefly in Qatar, the United States and Australia.
Considered a master of the confined space of the penalty area, his rapid speed over short distances (aided by his low centre of gravity) took him away from defenders, and he was renowned for his trademark toe poke finish. With 55 goals in 70 appearances, Romário is the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Brazil national team, behind Pelé, Neymar and Ronaldo. He is third on the all-time list of Brazilian league's top scorers with 155 goals. He is the seventh-highest goalscorer in the history of football with 780 goals in 1000 official games.
Romario started his political career in 2010, when he was elected deputy for the Brazilian Socialist Party. He was then elected senator in 2014. In 2017, he switched parties for Podemos, and in 2021, he joined the Liberal Party.
Romário has appeared in commercials for the sportswear company Nike. In 1998, he starred in a Nike commercial set in an airport with a number of stars from the Brazil national team, including Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. Romário features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was included in the FIFA 14 Ultimate Team Legends.
His son, Romarinho, also played for Vasco da Gama in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Career Honours Brazilian Brasileirao 2000 Vasco da Gama | Campeonato Carioca 1999 Flamengo | FIFA Confederations Cup 1997 Valencia | Campeonato Carioca 1996 Flamengo | Spanish Supercopa de Espana 1994 Barcelona | FIFA World Cup 1994 Brazil | FIFA The Best 1994 Barcelona | FIFA Golden Ball 1994 Brazil |
Spanish La Liga 1993-1994 Barcelona | Spanish La Liga Trofeo Pichichi 1993-1994 PSV Eindhoven | Johan Cruijff Schaal 1992 PSV Eindhoven | Dutch Eredivisie 1991-1992 PSV Eindhoven |
Dutch Eredivisie 1990-1991 PSV Eindhoven | Dutch KNVB Cup 1989-1990 PSV Eindhoven | Dutch Eredivisie 1988-1989 PSV Eindhoven | Dutch KNVB Cup 1988-1989 Vasco da Gama |
Campeonato Carioca 1988 Vasco da Gama | Campeonato Carioca 1987 Vasco da Gama |
Career Milestones
UEFA Champions League Hat-Trick 1992-11-04 |
Former Youth Teams
1981-1985 |
Former Senior Teams
1985-1988 |
1987-2005 |
1988-1993 |
1993-1995 |
1995-1996 |
1997-1999 |
1999 |
1999-2002 |
2002-2004 |
2003 (Loan) |
2005-2008 |
2006 (Loan) |
2006 |
Former Club Staff
2007-2007 Caretaker Manager |
Contracts Fanart Banner|
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| Vasco da Gama | Appearances | Brazilian Serie A | 2007 | 6 |
| Vasco da Gama | Appearances | Copa Sudamericana | 2007 | 1 |
| Vasco da Gama | Goals | Brazilian Serie A | 2007 | 3 |
| Vasco da Gama | Mins Played | Brazilian Serie A | 2007 | 372 |
| Vasco da Gama | Mins Played | Copa Sudamericana | 2007 | 23 |
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| Adelaide United | Appearances | Australian A-League | 2006-2007 | 1 |
| Adelaide United | Mins Played | Australian A-League | 2006-2007 | 63 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2005 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 2005 | 1 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2005 | 38 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2001 | 3 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 2001 | 2 |
| Vasco da Gama | Appearances | Copa Libertadores | 2001 | 7 |
| Brazil | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 2001 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 2001 | 2 |
| Vasco da Gama | Goals | Copa Libertadores | 2001 | 4 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2001 | 270 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 2001 | 180 |
| Vasco da Gama | Mins Played | Copa Libertadores | 2001 | 630 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 2000 | 2 |
| Brazil | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 2000 | 7 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 2000 | 180 |
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| Vasco da Gama | Appearances | FIFA Club World Cup | 1999 | 4 |
| Vasco da Gama | Goals | FIFA Club World Cup | 1999 | 3 |
| Vasco da Gama | Mins Played | FIFA Club World Cup | 1999 | 390 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1998 | 5 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1998 | 2 |
| Brazil | Goals | CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1998 | 3 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | CONCACAF Gold Cup | 1998 | 450 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1998 | 171 |
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| Valencia | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1997-1998 | 6 |
| Valencia | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1997-1998 | 1 |
| Valencia | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1997-1998 | 498 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | Confederations Cup | 1997 | 4 |
| Brazil | Appearances | Copa America | 1997 | 5 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1997 | 6 |
| Brazil | Assists | Copa America | 1997 | 1 |
| Brazil | Assists | International Friendlies | 1997 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | Confederations Cup | 1997 | 7 |
| Brazil | Goals | Copa America | 1997 | 3 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 1997 | 4 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | Confederations Cup | 1997 | 360 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | Copa America | 1997 | 432 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1997 | 529 |
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| Valencia | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1996-1997 | 5 |
| Valencia | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1996-1997 | 4 |
| Valencia | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1996-1997 | 450 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1994-1995 | 13 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1994-1995 | 5 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1994-1995 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1994-1995 | 4 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1994-1995 | 3 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1994-1995 | 1,071 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1994-1995 | 450 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1994 | 7 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1994 | 1 |
| Brazil | Assists | FIFA World Cup | 1994 | 3 |
| Brazil | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1994 | 5 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 1994 | 1 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1994 | 660 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1994 | 90 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | Copa del Rey | 1993-1994 | 2 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | Spanish La Liga | 1993-1994 | 33 |
| Barcelona | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1993-1994 | 10 |
| Barcelona | Assists | Spanish La Liga | 1993-1994 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1993-1994 | 1 |
| Barcelona | Goals | Spanish La Liga | 1993-1994 | 30 |
| Barcelona | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1993-1994 | 2 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Copa del Rey | 1993-1994 | 74 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Spanish La Liga | 1993-1994 | 2,756 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1993-1994 | 900 |
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| Barcelona | Appearances | Supercopa de Espana | 1993 | 2 |
| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1993 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1993 | 2 |
| Barcelona | Mins Played | Supercopa de Espana | 1993 | 180 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1993 | 90 |
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| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1992-1993 | 26 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1992-1993 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1992-1993 | 9 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1992-1993 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | UEFA Champions League | 1992-1993 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1992-1993 | 22 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1992-1993 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1992-1993 | 7 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1992-1993 | 2,244 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1992-1993 | 300 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1992-1993 | 788 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1992 | 2 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1992 | 88 |
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| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1991-1992 | 14 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1991-1992 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1991-1992 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1991-1992 | 6 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1991-1992 | 9 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1991-1992 | 1,224 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1991-1992 | 22 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1991-1992 | 107 |
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| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1990-1991 | 25 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1990-1991 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Cup | 1990-1991 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1990-1991 | 4 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1990-1991 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1990-1991 | 25 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1990-1991 | 5 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1990-1991 | 1,999 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1990-1991 | 300 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Cup | 1990-1991 | 180 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1990 | 1 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1990 | 65 |
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| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1989-1990 | 20 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1989-1990 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1989-1990 | 4 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1989-1990 | 3 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1989-1990 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1989-1990 | 23 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1989-1990 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1989-1990 | 6 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1989-1990 | 1,555 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1989-1990 | 270 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1989-1990 | 344 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | Copa America | 1989 | 6 |
| Brazil | Appearances | FIFA World Cup | 1989 | 2 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1989 | 2 |
| Brazil | Goals | Copa America | 1989 | 3 |
| Brazil | Goals | FIFA World Cup | 1989 | 1 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | Copa America | 1989 | 474 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | FIFA World Cup | 1989 | 92 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1989 | 133 |
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| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch Eredivisie | 1988-1989 | 24 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1988-1989 | 5 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Champions League | 1988-1989 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch Eredivisie | 1988-1989 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Assists | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1988-1989 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch Eredivisie | 1988-1989 | 19 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1988-1989 | 4 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | UEFA Champions League | 1988-1989 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch Eredivisie | 1988-1989 | 1,904 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | Dutch KNVB Cup | 1988-1989 | 360 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Champions League | 1988-1989 | 210 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1988 | 7 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | FIFA Club World Cup | 1988 | 1 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Appearances | UEFA Super Cup | 1988 | 2 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 1988 | 2 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Goals | FIFA Club World Cup | 1988 | 1 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1988 | 618 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | FIFA Club World Cup | 1988 | 120 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Mins Played | UEFA Super Cup | 1988 | 180 |
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| Brazil | Appearances | Copa America | 1987 | 2 |
| Brazil | Appearances | International Friendlies | 1987 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | Copa America | 1987 | 1 |
| Brazil | Goals | International Friendlies | 1987 | 2 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | Copa America | 1987 | 61 |
| Brazil | Mins Played | International Friendlies | 1987 | 90 |
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