Unfortunately, I never had a chance to witness him play, and all I know is that he was an incredibly talented player. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could provide statistics or just any information on him in general.
It’s become common sense to say that he was a player inside the box, but he was a genius outside it too. He had great vision and knew how to set up good moves as if he were a midfielder.
Romario was a genius. He’s my favorite striker of all time.
He was so cool in the box. He had a sixth sense about scoring goals. Rarely busted out hard shots, jsut nice little peckers well timed and directed. Great chip shots, and awesome dribbling skills. With Stoichov there were just unstoppable. The games against Atletico Madrid were epic. Also saw my first 5-0 against Madrid with him playing.
right-footed brazilian Messi going to party every night
In addition to the otherworldly skills and finishing abilities already mentioned here, I think many people forget that he also has this larger than life persona not unlike Maradona. Romario had some hilarious one liners
He was an assassin, fearless striker with an incredible first touch, when he was feeling it he was unplayable. He was a very accurate passer around the six yard box too.
Right foot, left foot, header, in off his shoulder, toe pokes, sombreros, nutmegging defenders in their own box, keepy uppies, perfectly floated lob passes with the side of his foot.
Thing is Romario was frustrating, while he put on some fantastic performances in Europe, his best games were back in Brazil and for the national team.
His attitude towards training and his penchant for partying plus his homesickness meant his time in Europe was a blink and you’ll miss him situation.
Still one of the best strikers in history who was fun to watch, on his day he was worth the price of admission.
Honestly, he was a fucking machine. He does not get enough credit honestly, being kept out of discussions about best ever.
So many good stories too. Man was an asshole and a party animal and compensated for everything by being a fucking genius on the pitch. Between Rivaldo and Ronaldo in terms of pure talent but probably a better career than both.
I’ve never seen him play live, only in replays and highlights. But according to many, he’s the greatest number 9, with the debate usually between him and R9. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself—inside the box, you can clearly see the difference he made. There’s a reason people used to say he could score with his eyes closed.
Like many Brazilian legends, he wasn’t as driven to become the greatest. Otherwise, there’s no reason he wouldn’t be in the same tier as Messi, Pelé, or Maradona. He left Europe too early for the same reason.
One way to look at it is through Johan Cruyff’s use of the false 9 with Laudrup. We know the advantages of playing a false 9—you defend better, create better, retain possession better, and overall perform more efficiently with an additional player who can drop back as a 10 outside the box and be a 9 inside it. Laudrup was a genius in his own right, our star, contributing with assists, goals, and more.
But Johan Cruyff signed Romário and benched Laudrup because Romário was such a specialist inside the box that Cruyff was willing to sacrifice all the other benefits Laudrup brought for Romário’s inside the box ability.
It’s similar to what Pep Guardiola did with Haaland, sacrificing his obsession with the false 9 to accommodate such a prolific goal scorer.
He was brilliant. He oozed class. He made finishing look easy, almost nonchalant!! And he had such a cool panther like way of running. He was lethal. One of my fav players when I was growing up. His [scoop turn goal v Real](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_oFYo_hlFY) is a perfect goal. Its a beautiful goal. Other goals may be better but that one is just perfect. (Assisted by Pep)
I mean I never got to watch him but he has 768 goals in his career. That alone tells me he was fucking amazing tbh 😭
Pretty sure [this goal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-2L_73yFfE) was Romarios hatrick goal on his Barca debut…. Such an amazing finish. Look at how nonchalantly he finishes it. 2touches and goal…. Romario at his best.
A funny anecdote that is often repeated about Romario:
Cruijff decided to give the players 4 days off for vacation after an upcoming match. However at that time it was carnival time in Brazil and Romario wanted to celebrate with family. The travel time however made it so he would only have 2 real days off. He went to Cruijff and asked him if he could have more days off. Cruijff said “if you score 2 goals tomorrow you can have 3 extra days off”. Romario apparently already booked his plane before the match. He proceeded to score 2 goals within 15 mins and scored a full hattrick in the first half. Cruijff already walked to him during the first half and told him he had a full week off now. Romario rushed into the dressing room at half time and was basically already dressed by the time the other players entered. “I have a plane to catch” and he left for the airport. Legendary confidence.
He’s up there for sure
Besides what everyone has told you, there was his amazing laziness. It was like he was always tired so he moved “less” than necessary. He shot the ball only with the leg movement, without turning the body to get a better orientation. He scored without bothering to do the neck twist that would put his head towards the goal. He always did less movements than a normal person would.
Dude was my favorite player growing up.
Crazy if dude really wanted to try at football he would have been top 3 easily.
I remember when they asked in Spain on what’s his secret? He told the journalists: I have sex before the match.
17 comments
Purest talent inside the box
https://www.nssmag.com/en/sports/17503/romario-o-baixinho
It’s become common sense to say that he was a player inside the box, but he was a genius outside it too. He had great vision and knew how to set up good moves as if he were a midfielder.
Romario was a genius. He’s my favorite striker of all time.
He was so cool in the box. He had a sixth sense about scoring goals. Rarely busted out hard shots, jsut nice little peckers well timed and directed. Great chip shots, and awesome dribbling skills. With Stoichov there were just unstoppable. The games against Atletico Madrid were epic. Also saw my first 5-0 against Madrid with him playing.
right-footed brazilian Messi going to party every night
In addition to the otherworldly skills and finishing abilities already mentioned here, I think many people forget that he also has this larger than life persona not unlike Maradona. Romario had some hilarious one liners
He was an assassin, fearless striker with an incredible first touch, when he was feeling it he was unplayable. He was a very accurate passer around the six yard box too.
Right foot, left foot, header, in off his shoulder, toe pokes, sombreros, nutmegging defenders in their own box, keepy uppies, perfectly floated lob passes with the side of his foot.
Thing is Romario was frustrating, while he put on some fantastic performances in Europe, his best games were back in Brazil and for the national team.
His attitude towards training and his penchant for partying plus his homesickness meant his time in Europe was a blink and you’ll miss him situation.
Still one of the best strikers in history who was fun to watch, on his day he was worth the price of admission.
Honestly, he was a fucking machine. He does not get enough credit honestly, being kept out of discussions about best ever.
So many good stories too. Man was an asshole and a party animal and compensated for everything by being a fucking genius on the pitch. Between Rivaldo and Ronaldo in terms of pure talent but probably a better career than both.
I’ve never seen him play live, only in replays and highlights. But according to many, he’s the greatest number 9, with the debate usually between him and R9. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself—inside the box, you can clearly see the difference he made. There’s a reason people used to say he could score with his eyes closed.
Like many Brazilian legends, he wasn’t as driven to become the greatest. Otherwise, there’s no reason he wouldn’t be in the same tier as Messi, Pelé, or Maradona. He left Europe too early for the same reason.
One way to look at it is through Johan Cruyff’s use of the false 9 with Laudrup. We know the advantages of playing a false 9—you defend better, create better, retain possession better, and overall perform more efficiently with an additional player who can drop back as a 10 outside the box and be a 9 inside it. Laudrup was a genius in his own right, our star, contributing with assists, goals, and more.
But Johan Cruyff signed Romário and benched Laudrup because Romário was such a specialist inside the box that Cruyff was willing to sacrifice all the other benefits Laudrup brought for Romário’s inside the box ability.
It’s similar to what Pep Guardiola did with Haaland, sacrificing his obsession with the false 9 to accommodate such a prolific goal scorer.
He was brilliant. He oozed class. He made finishing look easy, almost nonchalant!! And he had such a cool panther like way of running. He was lethal. One of my fav players when I was growing up. His [scoop turn goal v Real](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_oFYo_hlFY) is a perfect goal. Its a beautiful goal. Other goals may be better but that one is just perfect. (Assisted by Pep)
I mean I never got to watch him but he has 768 goals in his career. That alone tells me he was fucking amazing tbh 😭
Pretty sure [this goal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-2L_73yFfE) was Romarios hatrick goal on his Barca debut…. Such an amazing finish. Look at how nonchalantly he finishes it. 2touches and goal…. Romario at his best.
A funny anecdote that is often repeated about Romario:
Cruijff decided to give the players 4 days off for vacation after an upcoming match. However at that time it was carnival time in Brazil and Romario wanted to celebrate with family. The travel time however made it so he would only have 2 real days off. He went to Cruijff and asked him if he could have more days off. Cruijff said “if you score 2 goals tomorrow you can have 3 extra days off”. Romario apparently already booked his plane before the match. He proceeded to score 2 goals within 15 mins and scored a full hattrick in the first half. Cruijff already walked to him during the first half and told him he had a full week off now. Romario rushed into the dressing room at half time and was basically already dressed by the time the other players entered. “I have a plane to catch” and he left for the airport. Legendary confidence.
He’s up there for sure
Besides what everyone has told you, there was his amazing laziness. It was like he was always tired so he moved “less” than necessary. He shot the ball only with the leg movement, without turning the body to get a better orientation. He scored without bothering to do the neck twist that would put his head towards the goal. He always did less movements than a normal person would.
Dude was my favorite player growing up.
Crazy if dude really wanted to try at football he would have been top 3 easily.
I remember when they asked in Spain on what’s his secret? He told the journalists: I have sex before the match.