Tim Vickery Article On Romario

[Tooj 17]

It was exactly the type of occasion that Romario wanted as a backdrop to his 1,000th goal - a big Rio derby, with 60,000 in the Maracana to see his Vasco da Gama side against Botafogo.

 

The kick-off was delayed some 18 minutes while journalists, cameramen and interlopers were cleared from the pitch.

 

A special trophy had been made and an area at the side of the pitch roped off for its presentation.

 

And then, nothing. He is still on 999. Botafogo won 2-0 and the day came across as something of a letdown.

 

It is highly possible that global football history will come to a similar conclusion about Romario's career.

 

It might seem an extraordinarily harsh judgement to make.

 

After all, even if Romario's count is controversial (he has included goals scored before he turned professional, plus those from exhibition games) there is no denying that he has a whole heap of goals to his name.

 

But judgements are made not only according to achievement.

 

People are also measured against their potential - and here even Romario's staunchest supporter would find it hard to disagree that he has not scored nearly as many important goals as he might have.

 

Romario is quite simply the most naturally talented centre-forward I have ever seen.

 

Nearly three years ago - without ever imagining that he would still be going - I wrote in this space that he was football's answer to Muhammad Ali.

 

Like the early Ali, the young Romario was all speed, capable of picking up the ball some 40 yards out and bursting past everyone on the way to goal.

 

The later Ali got by on intelligence, positional sense and technical excellence - and so it has been with Romario.

 

He is a master at finding space in the penalty area, lurking beyond the far post, cutting in at the vital moment and then striking with a clinical coolness that makes him one of the greatest finishers.

 

There were glimpses of this genius on Sunday against Botafogo.

 

A cross-field pass found him free down the left channel and he poked the ball into the side-netting.

 

Another played him in down the right and he quickly brought the ball under control before lobbing just over.

 

The fact that he is capable of such flashes at the age of 41 is quite remarkable.

 

But it tends to reinforce the impression that, with all this ability, he could have done more.

 

Ali's greatness is based not only on his own performance but also on the standard of the opposition.

 

He went in there with the Sonny Listons, the Joe Fraziers, the George Foremans and the Kenny Nortons.

 

Meanwhile, one of Romario's chief opponents has been himself.

 

Economy of effort is a great virtue - but push it too far and it can become a defect.

 

When he left Barcelona and came back to Brazil at the start of 1995, Romario was not yet 29 and at the height of his powers.

 

As football globalised and the Champions League grew in importance, he could have established his reputation as one of the all-time legends.

 

Instead of which he turned his back on the discipline needed to function consistently as a top-class athlete.

 

Going back to Rio meant moving to an environment where he was spoiled rotten.

 

He was given 'privileges' - at some stages he was even travelling to away games separately from the rest of his team.

 

What he was not doing was looking after himself properly.

 

So often his fitness deserted him at the vital moment.

 

The most glaring example, of course, is the 1998 World Cup, which, had he not broken down and been cut from the squad, could have been the definitive statement of his worth.

 

When it comes, reaching the magic 1,000 will be a fitting landmark for a magnificent footballer - but it cannot make up for all those important goals he could have scored.

[Guest alex]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

[Tooj 17]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

[Park Life 71]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got Ajax away.

[Tooj 17]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got Ajax away.

Parky you do know of Ajax's Jewish connections don't you?

[Park Life 71]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got Ajax away.

Parky you do know of Ajax's Jewish connections don't you?

 

*Parky scans the kitchen for lighter fuel*

 

[MattM4 0]

I can remember that Baddiel and Skinner WC podcast where they made fun of Pele and his goal count, was hilarious. Must listen to that again.

[Park Life 71]

I can remember that Baddiel and Skinner WC podcast where they made fun of Pele and his goal count, was hilarious. Must listen to that again.

 

Prefer Romario to Pele (I count the goals I scored at school).

[Hatful Of Hollow 0]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got a Boca one, wrong country but ya na.

[Tooj 17]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got a Boca one, wrong country but ya na.

Class top Boca's like mate always been a fan of it.

 

Park Life I'm Romario's biggest fan but even he admits (which takes a hell of a lot) that he's no Pele. Pele wasn't just a goalscorer like Shorty.

[Park Life 71]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got a Boca one, wrong country but ya na.

Class top Boca's like mate always been a fan of it.

 

Park Life I'm Romario's biggest fan but even he admits (which takes a hell of a lot) that he's no Pele. Pele wasn't just a goalscorer like Shorty.

 

I meant on the subject of goal counting silly.

[Tooj 17]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got a Boca one, wrong country but ya na.

Class top Boca's like mate always been a fan of it.

 

Park Life I'm Romario's biggest fan but even he admits (which takes a hell of a lot) that he's no Pele. Pele wasn't just a goalscorer like Shorty.

 

I meant on the subject of goal counting silly.

Are you aware Romario is including goals scored in friendlies and amateur goals.

[Park Life 71]

I've got a Botafogo top btw. Would have been class to see him and Ronaldo piss on the French in the final of France '98 I must say.

I've got a Flamengo one like.

 

I've got a Boca one, wrong country but ya na.

Class top Boca's like mate always been a fan of it.

 

Park Life I'm Romario's biggest fan but even he admits (which takes a hell of a lot) that he's no Pele. Pele wasn't just a goalscorer like Shorty.

 

I meant on the subject of goal counting silly.

Are you aware Romario is including goals scored in friendlies and amateur goals.

 

I don't begrudge him that.

[Tooj 17]

Best finisher I've seen in my short lifetime btw.

[Park Life 71]

Best finisher I've seen in my short lifetime btw.

 

The boy Mickey ain't bad you know.

[Tooj 17]

Best finisher I've seen in my short lifetime btw.

 

The boy Mickey ain't bad you know.

He's not no but he like no one else is in Romario's league for that I am certain. Although blah blah blah Youtube clips just watch some of these man.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR8YwdzVaDg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR_EYzjZN18

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhLN7Lo-XJY

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztrTdTotM_I

 

I've never seen a player so cool in front of goal, it's almost like he just thinks ah well I might as well just finish it off I suppose, he makes it look so effortless.

[Park Life 71]

Best finisher I've seen in my short lifetime btw.

 

The boy Mickey ain't bad you know.

He's not no but he like no one else is in Romario's league for that I am certain. Although blah blah blah Youtube clips just watch some of these man.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR8YwdzVaDg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR_EYzjZN18

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhLN7Lo-XJY

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztrTdTotM_I

 

I've never seen a player so cool in front of goal, it's almost like he just thinks ah well I might as well just finish it off I suppose, he makes it look so effortless.

 

 

....the sheer economy of touches, the imperceptable feigns..minimal backlift...magic.