Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário (Brazilian
Portuguese: [ʁoˈmaɾiu]), is a Brazilian politician and a former professional
footballer. A prolific striker renowned for his clinical finishing, he scored over
700 goals and is one of the few players to score at least 100 goals for three
clubs.[1] He is considered one of the greatest players of all time.[2][3] 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.[4][5]
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 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.[6][7] With 55 goals in 70
appearances, Romário is the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Brazil national team,
behind Pelé, Neymar and Ronaldo.[8] He is third on the all-time list of Brazilian
league's top scorers with 155 goals. He is the ninth-highest goalscorer in the
history of football with 784 goals in 1002 official games.[9]
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.
Club career
Early years
From humble origins, Romário was spotted in childhood when playing for Olaria, a
small club from the Rio de Janeiro suburb. He was taken to the junior team of Vasco
da Gama where he won two state league titles (1987, 1988) and earned his first
call-ups to the national team. Romário came to international attention when he
became the top scorer at the 1988 Olympic football tournament.[10]
1988–1993 PSV Eindhoven
Romário training with PSV in February 1989
Shortly after the Olympics he moved to PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Eredivisie
in 1989, 1991 and 1992.[10] Renowned for his ability to operate in the confined
space of the penalty box, Romário scored 165 goals in 167 games in five seasons at
PSV.[7]
Driven by an unswerving belief in his abilities, Romário's laid back manner and
overwhelming self-confidence would be displayed throughout his career, with Guus
Hiddink, his coach at PSV, stating, "If he saw that I was a bit more nervous than
usual ahead of a big game, he'd come to me and say: ‘Take it easy, coach, I'm going
to score and we’re going to win'. What's incredible is that eight out of the ten
times he told me that, he really did score and we really did win."[11]
1993–1995 FC Barcelona
Romário moved to Spain's FC Barcelona for the 1993–94 season and became part of
Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", in which, along with players such as strike partner
Hristo Stoichkov, midfielders José Mari Bakero, and Michael Laudrup, and prolific
goalscoring defender Ronald Koeman, he helped the club win the La Liga title, while
becoming the season's top goalscorer with 30 goals in 33 matches.[10] Barcelona
also reached the 1994 UEFA Champions League final, where in spite of being heavy
favourites to win, they eventually lost 0–4 to Milan. The buildup to the final saw
Spanish newspapers already declaring Barcelona as winners, while Cruyff told his
team, "You're better than them, you're going to win".[12] With Romário and
Stoichkov leading the Barcelona attack, Milan defender Paolo Maldini conceded his
team were underdogs, but they were spurred on by what they perceived as arrogance
from Barcelona.[12] One member of the Barcelona back room staff admitted Barcelona
were complacent, "We went there to collect the cup, not to compete for it."[12]
"It has to be Romário. You never knew what to expect with him. His technique was
outstanding, and he scored goals from every possible position, most of them with
his toe, funnily enough."
— Johan Cruyff when asked to name the greatest player he ever coached.[13]
One of Romário's best performances was scoring a hat-trick in the memorable 5–0 win
over Real Madrid in the El Clásico at the Camp Nou, with the spectacular opening
goal seeing him drag the ball around the defender without it leaving his foot
before finishing with a trademark toe-poke into the corner of the net.[6] His
highlight for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League came in the two games against
Manchester United where he nutmegged Peter Schmeichel to score at Old Trafford, and
scored again in the 4–0 win at the Camp Nou in front of 114,000 fans.[2][14]
Reflecting on the game at the Camp Nou, Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, who
played in defence that night, states: "Of all the great things that happened during
my career, the thing that sticks out the most is that night because we got our
backsides kicked big-style. Stoichkov and Romário are still etched in my memory,
especially Romário, who was arguably the best player I ever faced."[14]
Romário was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994, after being the runner-up
in 1993.[10] Although he was lauded for his performances, Romário was prone to
controversy, and in 1994 he landed a left hook to Sevilla's Diego Simeone and was
suspended for five games.[15] Romário left Barcelona unexpectedly in January 1995
after having a rift with coach Cruyff.[16]
1995–1999 Flamengo and Valencia
In 1995, Romário returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo and spent five years there
excluding two short-lasting comebacks to Spain during that period.[7] During a Copa
Libertadores match against an Argentine team in 1995, Romário kicked an opposition
defender on the chest in retaliation for a punch on his teammate Edmundo.[17] He
began the 1996–97 season with the Spanish club Valencia but after having heated
arguments with then head coach Luis Aragonés he was soon loaned back to Flamengo.
[18]
Romário returned to Valencia at the beginning of 1997–98 season. With their new
coach Claudio Ranieri claiming that he did not want to have any players staying at
the club against their will, Romário, stating his need for good preparation for the
World Cup in France, left Valencia for good after playing just six league matches
in the season; once again he returned to Flamengo.[19]
2000–2005 Vasco and Fluminense
Romário rejoined Vasco da Gama in 2000 and linked up again with fellow
international striker Edmundo. Forming a prolific partnership, the two forwards led
Vasco to the final of the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship, with Romário finishing
as joint-top goalscorer with three goals. The most notable performance from the
pair was a 3–1 defeat of European champions Manchester United at the Estádio do
Maracanã, where Romário scored twice in three first-half minutes and Edmundo added
a third before half time.[20] Having previously got on well together at Flamengo,
the volatile Edmundo became jealous of Romário's privileges, stating the club was
"a court, Romário the prince and [club chairman] Eurico Mirando [sic] the king".
[17] After Vasco's victory a few days later, Romário replied: "Now the court is
happy: the king, the prince and the fool [Edmundo]".[17]
At 34 years of age, Romário had one of the best seasons in his career while winning
the Copa Mercosur and the Brazilian league title with Vasco. Romário's performance
was key in the Mercosur final where Vasco faced Brazilian rivals Palmeiras from São
Paulo. After splitting the first two matches, a decisive third took place in São
Paulo. Palmeiras took a 3–0 lead before half-time. In the second half however,
Vasco scored four goals including Romário's winner in the stoppage time, which
completed his hat-trick.[21] Romário received both the South American and Brazilian
Footballer of the Year awards. He finished both the 2000 and 2001 seasons as the
Brazilian league's top goalscorer.[22]
From 2002 until 2004, he played for Fluminense. In February 2003, Romário signed a
lucrative three-month contract in Qatar with a club Al Sadd but after a
disappointing stint without scoring a goal he returned to Fluminense.[23] On 21
October 2004 he was fired from the club after a conflict with the coach. He also
attacked a fan who had thrown six live chickens at him during training.[15] Romário
then went back once again to play for the team he started at, Vasco da Gama. In
2005, at 39 years of age, Romário scored 22 goals in the Brazilian Championship,
making him the league's top goalscorer for the third time.[10][24]
Late career
In the beginning of 2006 Romário joined Miami FC along with former 1994 FIFA World
Cup teammate Zinho. He helped Miami FC reach their first ever USL-1 Playoffs,
scoring 19 league goals in 25 appearances for the team.
Newly promoted Campeonato Mineiro side Tupi announced a short-term deal with
Romário to play for the Juiz de Fora team in the Taça Minas. However, the Brazilian
Football Confederation prohibited the transfer, claiming the contract was signed
after the closing of the international transfer window. Romário did not make his
debut for the club, but took part in practice sessions.[25][26]
Seen as a publicity coup of the A-League's short history, Romário was signed by
AUFC Board member Mel Patzwald to the Australian A-League club Adelaide United for
a 5-game guest stint. He played his first match for Adelaide United on 25 November
2006 against the Central Coast Mariners. During his final game on 15 December 2006
he finally scored a goal for Adelaide to end what many considered to be a
disappointing spell with the club.[27] In January 2007 he signed a new deal with
Vasco da Gama.
Thousandth goal
On 20 May 2007, Romário scored his 1000th goal, a penalty kick against Sport
Recife, playing for Vasco da Gama. The Brazilian press claimed him as one of few
players in professional football history to achieve this, like Pelé, Puskás,
Friedenreich and Binder.[28] The 1000th goal drew much attention from both
Brazilian and international press, with the game being stopped for over 20 minutes
to allow for celebrations from his fans.[29][30][31][32] There is some controversy
over the validity of the 1000 goals, because the number is somewhat inaccurate and
Romário's research team also counted his goals in junior, friendly and non-official
games.[33]
FIFA congratulated Romário on his milestone goal[34] but stated he is still
officially on 929 goals, as 77 came in youth football, with others being scored in
unofficial friendly matches.[35] RSSSF estimated his career tally to be 968 goals
in 1188 games.[9] In 2008, Romário released a DVD with the best goals of his career
totaling 900 goals in the disc.[36] Following the landmark goal, Vasco da Gama
unveiled a statue of Romário at the Estádio São Januário.[37]
Player/Manager of Vasco da Gama
On 24 October 2007, it was announced that Romário would take charge of his first
match as the interim manager of Vasco against Club América of Mexico in the return
leg of their Copa Sudamericana quarter final and he would also participate on the
field as a player. Romário, then 41 years of age, replaced Celso Roth as the
manager of Vasco da Gama, and also played the match against Club América at the
same time. Vasco da Gama president Eurico Miranda declared to Globo Online that
Romário would be in charge of the team for the match, but it is likely to only be
temporarily. On 6 February 2008 Romário objected to Miranda's intervention in team
selection, so was dismissed, but remained contracted to Vasco as a player.
On 4 December 2007, Romário announced he had tested positive for finasteride (aka
Propecia) after a match against Palmeiras on 28 October. He claims it was in an
anti-baldness treatment; however, the drug is banned as it is a masking agent for
anabolic steroids.[38]
Retirement and comeback
On 5 February 2008, Romário announced his retirement both from playing and
coaching, effective at the end of March. This move came somewhat unexpectedly, as
fans anticipated that he would retire from playing, but not coaching. He made it
clear that he will only concentrate on the FIFA Confederations Cup and helping with
the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, on 27 March, Romário denied that he had retired.
Romário announced on 15 April 2008 at his DVD launch that he would retire from the
game of football.[39][40] He cited his weight as a major factor in his decision to
retire from the game. Romário played for many clubs that spanned across five
continents for over two decades. He scored 71 goals in 85 appearances for Brazil
(including appearances and goals in the Olympics) and claimed to have scored over
1,000 club goals. Romário officially announced his retirement from playing, saying:
Officially I'm not playing any more. I've stopped. My time is up. Everything has
been a lot of fun.[41]
In August 2009, Romário announced that he would come out of retirement to play for
America from Rio de Janeiro. He stated that he would play for the club to fulfill
his late father's wishes.[42] On 25 November 2009, Romário made his comeback. He
came on during the 68th minute of the match between America and Artsul, replacing
Adriano. Although he did not score, America won 2–0, which helped the club to win
the Carioca Championship Second Division title.
International career
Romário's No.11 Brazil shirt
As a member of the Brazil national team, Romário won the silver Olympic medal in
Seoul in 1988, finishing as the top-goalscorer with seven goals in six matches.[11]
He attained the status of national hero at the 1989 Copa América as he scored the
only goal in the final against Uruguay to end Brazil's long trophy drought in front
of their own fans at the Maracanã.[11] He was part of the Brazilian squad in the
World Cups of 1990 and 1994. He scored 71 goals in 85 international matches
(including senior and Olympic teams), being the fourth-highest goalscorer in the
history of the Brazilian team.
1990 World Cup
Romário was one of the most talked about stars leading up to the 1990 World Cup in
Italy, but picked up a serious injury three months before the big kick-off.[11]
Despite doing everything to recover in time and being rewarded with a spot in the
squad, his lack of fitness meant he was restricted to playing only 66 minutes in
one match, against Scotland.[11] Brazil were eliminated in round of 16 by their
rival side Argentina.[43]
1994 World Cup
In 1992, during Romário's successful season at PSV Eindhoven, he was called up to
the national team for a friendly match against Germany on 16 December 1992 in Porto
Alegre – Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira left Romário as a
reserve, after which he expressed his dissatisfaction, saying he would not have
come over from Netherlands if he had known he was not going to play. These
declarations caused Parreira to ban Romário from the Brazilian team.[44]
Brazil played the first seven matches of the 1994 World Cup qualification without
Romário, and suffered their first loss ever in World Cup qualifying against
Bolivia. His exclusion provoked a wave of outrage, with journalists and fans
calling for his return to the team.[11] Brazil had to beat or tie against Uruguay
at the Maracanã Stadium to finish first of their group. Before the match against
Uruguay, Parreira gave up and called Romário. Back in his beloved number 11 jersey,
prior to the game Romário stated: "I already know what is going to happen: I'm
going to finish Uruguay".[45] Brazil won 2–0, with Romário scoring both goals, and
qualified for the World Cup. Parreira commented afterwards: "God sent Romário to
the Maracanã".[45]
Romário and his 1994 teammate Dunga (far left), with Brazil president Lula, hold
the World Cup trophy
At the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, Romário partnered Bebeto in attack
to lead his country to a record fourth World Cup title.[10] Romário scored five
goals in the tournament: one in each of the three first round matches, against
Russia, Cameroon, and a trademark toe-poke finish against Sweden.[46][47] He scored
one against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals; and the game-winning header
against Sweden in the semifinals.[47]
"They are both skillful players, outstanding players. They are matadors, killers
inside the penalty area."
—Brazil coach at USA '94 Carlos Alberto Parreira on Romário and Bebeto.[10]
Romário also assisted Bebeto in the only goal of the match against the United
States in San Francisco for the round of 16 elimination match. Although he did not
get on the scoresheet in the final in Los Angeles against Italy, a game played in
searing heat which ended as a goalless draw, he converted Brazil's second penalty
in the shoot-out, which ended in a 3–2 win for Brazil.[10] Romário won the World
Cup Golden Ball as the most valuable player of the tournament, and was named in the
World Cup All-Star Team.[10]
Described by Jere Longman of The New York Times as "short on humility, long on
talent", Romário demanded a window seat on the team plane and refused to sit next
to Bebeto.[48] He did however join Bebeto in one of the most iconic images of the
tournament. After Bebeto scored against the Netherlands in Dallas, his goal
celebration generated headlines around the world when he began rocking an imaginary
baby – his wife had given birth to their third child just days before – with
Romário (and Mazinho) then joining Bebeto in the rocking motion.[49]
The Ro-Ro attack
In the subsequent years, Romário formed, along with fellow Brazilian forward
Ronaldo, a feared attacking combo, which was colloquially referred to as the Ro-Ro
duo. The first title which the strikers won while playing together in the front
line, was the 1997 Copa América in Bolivia where they scored a total of eight
goals. Later on in December 1997 they each scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win against
Australia in the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup final.[50] Romário finished the
tournament as the top-goalscorer with seven goals while Ronaldo added four. In 1997
alone, the duo scored an impressive total of 34 international goals with 19 coming
from Romário. The Ro-Ro attack was expected to headline the upcoming World Cup in
France.
1998 and 2002 World Cup absence
Romário (left) in training with Brazil
Romário was left out of the 1998 World Cup squad. Medical exams had revealed that
he had a muscular injury, and he received intensive treatment leading up to the
tournament, but he did not recover completely and was dismissed the day of the
deadline for the World Cup squad submissions.[51] Just after the decision was
announced, Romário held a press conference where he broke down in tears while
saying that "this is very sad for me, a big disappointment. This is a very
difficult moment in my life".[52] Brazil lost the World Cup final against hosts
France.[53][54]
Prior to the 2002 World Cup, Romário, aged 36, was in considerably good form while
playing for Vasco da Gama, but once again he was left out of the national squad by
coach Luiz Felipe Scolari due to indiscipline. The final incident happened when he
pulled out of the Brazil squad for the 2001 Copa América in Colombia. He told
Scolari that he was having an eye operation, but played friendlies for club side
Vasco da Gama in Mexico and went on holiday instead.[55] Romário gave a televised
news conference in which he made his case and apologised, bursting into tears three
times, though he said he could not remember doing or saying anything against the
manager and the players.[56] The BBC's South American football correspondent, Tim
Vickery, called Romário's news conference "bizarre" and reported that there were
"increasingly credible rumours" that "senior players asked Scolari not to recall
the veteran striker".[56] Scolari was unmoved and did not pick him, saying before
his squad announcement that Romário's exclusion was "technical and tactical". After
the announcement, he said that it was as a result of Romário's withdrawing from the
Copa América: "People forget the details, but I do not. I almost got fired from the
national team after [the Copa América]." (Brazil had been beaten in the quarter-
finals by Honduras.)[55] Without Romário, Brazil went on to win the World Cup for
the fifth time.[57][58]
Last game for Brazil
Romário at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland in 2007 at the announcement of
Brazil being named hosts of the 2014 FIFA World Cup
On 27 April 2005, Romário played his last game with the Brazil national team in a
friendly and celebratory match in São Paulo.[59] He wore the captain's armband and
scored the second goal in Brazil's 3–0 win against Guatemala.[59] Following the end
of his playing career with Brazil, Romário successfully campaigned for Brazil to be
awarded host status for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[60]
Footvolley and beach soccer
Since the 1990s Romário has been a footvolley enthusiast, playing with friends in
various tournaments. In 2006, he won the VIP Footvolley.net Open in Miami Beach,
USA; and was runner-up in the 2011 Footvolley World Championship in Rio de Janeiro.
He also plays Beach soccer and represented Brazil (won the bronze medal) at the
2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.[61]
Style of play and recognition
"We're talking of one of the great centre-forwards. He's a master of the reduced
space of the penalty area. A square metre for him is like an acre. Why? Low centre
of gravity, powerful thighs so he can explode, wonderful finishing ability. Both
because he's very proficient technically, but also because he's so cold in front of
goal."
— Tim Vickery, BBC football correspondent.[7]
Romário is regarded as one of the greatest and most prolific strikers of all time.
[7][62][63][48][64] His coach at Barcelona, Johan Cruyff, defined him as a "genius
of the goal area", as well as the greatest player he ever coached.[13][65] His
Brazilian compatriot Ronaldo, who played with him in his early career, reflected,
"Romário was the most decisive player who I played with, he was a great goal
scorer, finisher, skillful, opportunist. I think I learnt all of that from him".
[66] Italian playmaker Roberto Baggio said "Romário is one of the greatest players
of all time. He is a master of art in the penalty area,"[67] a view echoed by Paolo
Maldini with, "Romário was incredible in the penalty area."[68] Diego Maradona on
who was the best player he ever saw play, "It is between Romário and Van Basten".
[69] Romário wore the number 11 shirt for most of his club and international
career, which inspired Neymar's number at Santos (he also went on to wear number 11
for Barcelona).[70]
Along with two other FIFA World Player of the Year recipients, Brazilian compatriot
Ronaldo and Liberian star George Weah, Romário was seen as a new breed of striker
in the 1990s who would also operate outside the penalty area before running with
the ball towards goal, with former France striker Thierry Henry stating; "Ronaldo
together with Romário and George Weah, reinvented the centre-forward position. They
were the first to drop from the penalty box to pick up the ball in midfield, switch
to the flanks, attract and disorientate the central defenders with their runs,
their accelerations, their dribbling."[71] Nicknamed Baixinho (Portuguese for "The
Little One," or "Shorty") Romário was an extremely agile player, who possessed
excellent balance on the ball, and significant strength in spite of his small
stature, which made him particularly effective in tight spaces in the penalty area,
and allowed him to retain possession of the ball when put under pressure by larger
players; his low centre of gravity and quick bursts of acceleration enabled him to
outrun opponents over short distances and beat defenders with sudden turns or
changes of pace, while his technique and finishing ability saw him score a wide
variety of numerous goals, including goals from powerful and accurate first-time
strikes – notably through his trademark toe-pokes with little back-lift – or even
from chipped shots.[6][72] His ball control and dribbling skills saw him use
elaborate feints, such as: dragging the ball around a defender without it leaving
his foot, and the flip flap.[73][74][75]
While he could operate outside the penalty area in making runs from deep, Romário
built a reputation as an extremely opportunistic "goal-poacher" inside the penalty
area.[76][77][78] He was known for his intelligence, offensive movement, and
positional sense, as well as his ability to find space in the area and lose his
markers by making late runs.[73] In addition to his goalscoring, he was also known
for his speed, as well as his creativity and vision, which gave him the ability to
link-up with and provide assists for teammates.[62][64][78][79] This enabled him to
form many notable attacking partnerships with other prolific, technically gifted
forwards, such as Stoichkov (at Barcelona), Edmundo (at Vasco da Gama), Euller
(Vasco da Gama) and Bebeto and Ronaldo (with Brazil).[80][81][82] In spite of his
talent, however, Romário was also criticised for being too outspoken, and for his
poor work rate throughout his career, in particular for his vocal dislike of
training.[7][64][76] Regarding his work-rate and lifestyle off the pitch, Rodrigo
Orihuela of The Guardian stated in 2007: "Romário has never been much of a
committed athlete and has always had a rather laissez-faire approach to training.
'The night was always my friend. When I go out, I am happy and when I am happy I
score goals', he once summarised."[17]
Media and sponsorship
Romário has appeared in commercials for the sportswear company Nike.[83] 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.[83] Romário features in
EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was included in the FIFA 14 Ultimate Team
Legends.[84]
Political career
Romário in the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil on 6 May 2010
In the 2010 general election, Romário was elected to the Chamber of Deputies on the
Brazilian Socialist Party ticket. He was the sixth most voted candidate for deputy
in Rio de Janeiro.[85][86]
He pushed his political agenda against the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil,
denouncing the event as immersed in corruption and money laundering.[87][88] He
also expressed disagreement with Sean Kiley, Ricardo Teixeira, Jérôme Valcke, and
Sepp Blatter.[89] He is one of various figures claiming that the holding of the
2018 FIFA World Cup was "stolen" from England and sold to Russia as part of the
2011 scandal involving FIFA.[90]
On 19 February 2014, Romário announced that he would run for the Brazilian senate
in the 2014 general election,[91] and the decision was officially confirmed in
June.[92] On 5 October, Romario was elected to the Senate with the most votes
received ever by a candidate representing the state of Rio de Janeiro.
In June 2017, Romário left the PSB and joined Podemos, becoming president of the
party in the State of Rio de Janeiro.[93] In March 2018, Romário announced his run
for governor of Rio de Janeiro in the Brazilian general election as a candidate for
the centrist Podemos party.[94] Romário finished in fourth place, with 8.6% of
valid votes.[95]
In April 2021, Romário switched parties again, to the Liberal Party.[96] In
October, he publicly endorsed the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, and
criticised the previous administration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[97]
Personal life
His son, Romarinho, also played for Vasco da Gama in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
[98]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[99]
Season Club League Regional league Cup Continental Other[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vasco da Gama 1985 Série A 7 0 21 11 — 0 0 —
28 11
1986 Série A 23 9 25 20 — — — 48 29
1987 Série A 17 8 24 16 — — — 41 24
1988 Série A 0 0 24 16 — — — 24 16
Total 47 17 94 63 — — — 141 80
PSV 1988–89 Eredivisie 24 19 — 5 4 2 2 3 1
34 26
1989–90 Eredivisie 20 23 — 3 2 4 6 — 27 31
1990–91 Eredivisie 25 25 — 3 5 2 0 — 30 30
1991–92 Eredivisie 15 9 — 1 0 2 0 1 0 19
9
1992–93 Eredivisie 26 22 — 3 3 9 7 1 0 39
32
Total 110 98 — 15 14 19 15 5 1 149 128
Barcelona 1993–94 La Liga 33 30 — 2 0 10 2 2
0 47 32
1994–95 La Liga 13 4 — 0 0 5 3 — 18 7
Total 46 34 — 2 0 15 5 2 0 65 39
Flamengo 1995 Série A 16 8 21 26 5 1 4 2 —
46 37
1996 Série A 3 0 19 26 5 1 0 0 6 4 33
31
Total 19 8 40 52 10 2 4 2 6 4 79 68
Valencia 1996–97 La Liga 5 4 — 0 0 0 0 —
5 4
1997–98 La Liga 6 1 — 1 1 — — 7 2
Total 11 5 — 1 1 0 0 — 12 6
Flamengo 1997 Série A 4 3 18 18 8 7 0 0 6
7 36 35
1998 Série A 20 14 11 10 4 6 3 4 2 1 40
35
1999 Série A 19 12 15 16 7 7 7 8 6 3 54
46
Total 43 29 44 44 19 20 10 12 14 11 130 116
Vasco da Gama 2000 Série A 28 20 17 19 2 1 14 14
10 12 71 66
2001 Série A 18 21 6 11 0 0 9 5 6 3 39
40
2002 Série A 0 0 4 8 7 5 — 14 13 25 26
Total 46 41 27 38 9 6 18 16 35 31 135 132
Fluminense 2002 Série A 26 16 0 0 0 0 — — 26
16
2003 Série A 21 13 4 5 0 0 0 0 — 25 18
2004 Série A 13 5 9 6 2 2 — — 24 13
Total 60 34 13 11 2 2 — — 75 47
Al-Sadd (loan) 2002–03 Qatar Stars League 3 0 — 0 0
— — 3 0
Vasco da Gama 2005 Série A 30 22 10 7 3 1 — —
43 30
2006 Série A 0 0 10 6 1 3 0 0 — 11 9
Total 30 22 20 13 4 4 — — 54 39
Miami FC 2006 USL 1st 25 19 — 1 0 — — 26 19
Adelaide United 2006–07 A-League 4 1 — — 0 0 —
4 1
Vasco da Gama 2007 Série A 6 3 9 10 3 2 1 0
— 19 15
América-RJ 2009 Campeonato Carioca Série B1 0 0 1 0 0 0
— — 1 0
Career total 450 311 248 231 66 51 67 50 62 47 893
690
