In a landscape dominated by interviews with modern stars like Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, and Iker Casillas, few captivate audiences quite like Romário. Three decades after the iconic Brazilian striker hoisted the World Cup trophy and was named the best player of the 1994 tournament, he now embarks on a global journey to connect with football greats for his YouTube channel.
Romário initiated his ‘face to face with the man’ project a year ago, expressing his enthusiasm for this new venture.
This entire Romário TV experience represents a fresh chapter in my life,” he reveals. “I’m truly enjoying it; it’s just fantastic.
“This initiative allows me to reconnect with my past. After retiring in 2006, stepping into the role of an interviewer transports me back to my experiences, especially when I engage with peers from my era. That’s one of the primary reasons I find joy in what I’m currently doing.”
Regarded as one of the greatest players in both Brazilian and global football history, Romário is unreserved when discussing his legacy.
I see myself among the top five players of all time,” he states with conviction.
When asked to elaborate on his list, he shares a top six:
Pelé, Maradona, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, myself, and Ronaldo. That’s the lineup. I’d rate myself an 11 out of 10 as a player.
This self-given score also resonates with his jersey number, which he donned during pivotal moments of his club career and throughout most of his 71 caps for Brazil, including the 1994 World Cup. Despite facing criticism regarding his training habits, Romário staunchly defends his methods.
Romário often got labeled as lazy,” he remarks, reflecting a common critique. “Romário didn’t train the way many thought I should. But I scored goals.
Romário’s time on the pitch was markedly different from the current era, characterized by the absence of social media. This allowed him to lead a vibrant life outside football without the incessant scrutiny of fans. He acknowledges that had he played in today’s environment, he would have needed to modify his lifestyle, though he might have received greater recognition for his on-field feats.
“I would have embraced social media back in my day. The internet really unveils who you are. For instance, perhaps 50% of Brazil never got to see my games and were unaware of how I performed. Nowadays, everyone is informed.
“But there’s a flip side. People were oblivious to my missteps. That would have been a nightmare, but that’s life. If social media had been around during my era, I probably wouldn’t have engaged in as much foolishness. However, the little I did would have been widely known.”
Romário’s signature smile showcases his dynamic personality, which propelled him into a successful political career post-retirement. He ventured into politics 16 years ago with Brazil’s socialist party, PSB, and was elected as a federal deputy in 2010 before becoming a senator in 2014.
In 2017, he transitioned to the centrist party Podemos, and four years later, during a wave of populism under then-President Jair Bolsonaro, he accepted an invitation to join the ruling far-right PL party. Unlike Bolsonaro, who now faces house arrest for an attempted coup, Romário stands against liberalizing gun ownership and champions increased funding for education, a lower priority for the PL.
“My priorities lie in education, health, social issues, and sports,” he clarifies. “I advocate for people with disabilities and for inclusion. I don’t pressure anyone to endorse my initiatives in exchange for favors, like legalizing drugs. Legalizing abortion? I won’t support that. Arming the nation? That’s not on my agenda. I only endorse projects I genuinely believe in.”
When asked to assess his political performance, he confidently rates himself an 11 once more.
Romário’s independent political path, characterized by party switches and a refusal to conform, has drawn criticism from both political sides. As the presidential elections loom in October, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeks re-election against Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of Jair Bolsonaro and the current PL candidate.
Romário expresses hope that Carlo Ancelotti’s squad can secure Brazil’s sixth World Cup title, providing the nation with a much-needed sense of peace. “We find ourselves in a situation reminiscent of 1994,” he observes. “From a political standpoint, the country is in turmoil. There’s a stark polarization between left and right, and violence is rampant.
“There’s an abundance of negative news across the nation. I speak from personal experience because I lived through it: a victory for Brazil would bring solace and happiness to our people who are suffering. I’m confident it would alleviate the country’s tensions. Winning the World Cup brings hope for brighter days and better times. I genuinely hope Brazil triumphs, but it’s going to be a tough road ahead.”
Romário’s doubts about Brazil’s prospects stem more from the players’ performances in the national team than from the overall quality of the squad. He feels that the country has yet to produce superstars like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, or even Zico as it did in previous years.
“Brazil boasts players who excel in their club teams. They shine in the Premier League and La Liga, becoming idols for their respective clubs. Yet, when representing Brazil, they often fall short. I hope that’s a thing of the past and that they can at least perform at 80% of the level they exhibit for their clubs. If they manage that, Brazil will have a shot at the title.”
Romário believes the lack of “spectacular” players has ironically enhanced his own legacy. “I think I’ve become even more relevant than I was before. Years back, you had Romário, you had Ronaldo, but today, there’s no one to match that.
“That’s why we continue to hold significance. We represent an important chapter in Brazilian football because we achieved great things and embodied the nation. Regrettably, today, no one else does.”
He acknowledges that there are currently five teams stronger than Brazil, but he does not include England in that mix. “Brazil has a stature, and the Brazil jersey carries a weight that commands respect. England is a good team, but I view the other sides as superior.
“I admire Harry Kane, [Jude] Bellingham, and [Bukayo] Saka. They are astute players with excellent skills capable of making a difference. They could present a challenge, but I wouldn’t categorize them among the favorites. My top picks are France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, and Brazil.”
Despite his immense appreciation for football, the “short man,” as Romário is affectionately called, doesn’t particularly relish watching matches. He favors spending his time at the beach rather than enduring games, although he makes exceptions for Brazil and the Premier League, especially for Pep Guardiola, his former Barcelona teammate.
“Pep always possessed an extraordinary intelligence as a player. Even as the youngest member of a star-studded ensemble that included [Hristo] Stoichkov, [José Mari] Bakero, [Ronald] Koeman, and [Miguel Ángel] Nadal, he stood out. He knew how to influence the game.
“[Johan] Cruyff had immense trust in him. Pep was a young man who paid close attention during Cruyff’s sessions. He was always focused during practice, which he translated into his coaching career, establishing himself as the best. He ranks among the top two or three coaches of all time.
“He used to say that when I was in the locker room, if I had my head down and was quiet, it meant it was going to be a tough day. But if I was animated and dancing, no one could stop me. Everyone has off days when things just don’t click for them. I was no exception, but those days were rare.”
As the conversation draws to a close, Romário takes the reins, conducting what he claims would be the “greatest interview of all time.”
