Rio de Janeiro was split between a combination of sadness, joy and relief that the legendary number 11 finally scored the thousandth goal that he’s been gunning for before hanging his battered boots up…and then promptly changed his mind about retiring so soon...
41 year-old Romário netted the landmark goal four minutes into the second half of the Brasileirão (Brazilian first division) match that pitted his Vasco da Gama against returning northerners Sport.
The Baixinho (Shorty) scored from the penalty spot in the 3-0 Bacalhau win at their home São Januário ground.
The previous attempts had seen the scene shift to municipal coliseum Maracanã, but the veteran had failed to score in the last five attempts there.
“It’s a historic landmark, not only for me, but for my parents, my family, my friends and for Brazil as a whole. It was God who wanted the goal to go in today. “
“I ran a lot after this particular goal, but He had his own ideas”, underlined the idiosyncratic number 11.
The player beat visiting goalie Magrão and, as expected, play was paralysed for a celebration as the terraces exploded and members of Romário's family joined the overwhelmed man himself on the São Januário turf.
In total play stopped for close to twenty minutes as Vasco President Eurico Miranda came down with the rest of the Vasco top brass to pay homage to Romário.
“This is a very special moment in my life and Id like to dedicate this last goal to my children and thank my parents and everybody else who is present here tonight”, thanked a visibly moved Romário, crying openly.
“I cant say much now, it’s all too much, but later on I’ll say more. For now, thank you. Thank all of you”, he added.
The world could look back on the 20th of May 2007 as the day that a legend netted the thousandth goal of a glittering career that is now over...until the legend announced that he was coming back in the mould of the Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd.
Now what remains to be seen is how long he keeps on going - and where. there are many who, like the dinosaurs of rock, would pay handsomely to count on Romários services.
It could be the first of a series of farewells, with fans split between annoyance and admiration that the man who has launched a thousand kick-offs continues...
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