Re: Romario....... absolutely! Look how terrible they did without him. The team's final result was dismal. I'm sure everybody's regretting that decision .... wait a minute. What's that? They won the World Cup? Really?!? I think that's one decision that doesn't need to be second quessed.
I think that on July 28 when Scolari announces that he will STAY Brazil's coach, the very next day Romario should announce his international retirement. Cause as long as Scolari is coach, Romario will NEVER wear the gold and green shirt again!!
Edilson was alright, but Luizao was horrible.. Romario could have been useful, but hey they won the world cup... as for romario playing for national team of brazil again, i think they should set up some sort of farewell game for him, or invite him to the next friendly or something... he was a great player
I didn't think Luizao was horrible, he played very well in my opinion, but did not finish any of his 3-4 chances. Talent wise Romario would have been a huge upgrade. In reality, he would have only been an adequate substitute for Ronaldo. If Brasil is up, he can stay up top and when Brasil would counter he would be a little more lethal to get that extra goal (Turkey, Belgium anyone?). At the same time, Scolari's philsophy has always been that when the team gets up, to have those strikers work their butts off applying defense pressure and not allowing the other team to set up comfortably. It worked, it worked very well. Whether or not you think he was 'right' to do it, you have to give him the credit and say that even if Scolari makes an unpopular decision, he isn't just being stupid or stubborn. Maybe he doesn't win the Cup the way you would want, but he delivered what he said he would, and certainly with more style than most people thought. Romario would have been fine to include talent wise on the team. Would he have been happy not starting a single game and only coming in for 5-20 minutes in 3 of the 7 games? I think he wouldn't have been happy with just that and it is too big a risk to cause a problem with the chemistry of the team.
considering he didn't go, i'd think he'd be happy....in all that time before the cup when he was asking to go i didn't think he would be able to...I don't think Romario thought he would go either
Without a shadow of a doubt Romario should have gone I saw nothing in the competition to suggest he wouldn't have scored goals or lasted the pace physically (play him for 60-70 mins if no joy sub him, simple) - but it would've meant Rivaldo playing in midfield which he didn't want, funny but Van Gaal thinks Rivaldo is a left-sided midfielder. WC2002 should've been Romario's farewell to international soccer - denied by politiking
Not including Romario wasn't just about not liking Romario. You have to look at Scolari's system: True, Brasil did open up the game and played differently than in qualifying. However the focus on defense was still very much there in later stages of the Cup. Romario would not have been able to backtrack and contribute as much as even Ronaldo was. Set at the midfield mark towards goal. Also, Romario, there's no telling the head case he would have brought to the locker room. It obviously is no secret that he is not liked by many players and managers. Can anyone name 1 manager he has not had a run-in with? And if so, how did that end up? I agree - it would have been a matter of time before he started belly-aching about starting. And that's a pain in the ass b'cause before the cup, I vaguelly recall Denilson saying he was better than Rivaldo ... Sentimentally, it would have been nice to see Romario at the cup. Still a nice talent. BUt in reality, the possibility of him bringing mroe of a headache than contribution was too great. The time for Romario was, unfortunately, in 1998 alongside Ronaldo. But fate was not on his side. **One more thing - looking at Scolari's selection, you notice that there is a great deal of flexibility in positions. Ronaldinho - either midfield or forward. Edilson - either midfield or forward. Same with Rivaldo, Kaka and Denilson and to an extent, Luizao, who was pure Ronaldo insurance.
Well said. Ronaldo - Bebeto just didn't have the same effect. And a if Romario had been able to pair with Bebeto in the 98 final, the whole team wouldn't have collapsed and Brasil might have just won their 6th title instead of only the Penta.
Give it time.... I'm only joking, I promise. Must be a slow news day in Rio - "Wow, the clubs are in financial dfficulty! We bought a player we can't afford!"
Cruzerio / Romario (R) Say what you want about Romario...bottom line is he gets the job done. http://www.soccernet.com/global/news/2002/0812/20020812braromario.html
Re: Cruzerio / Romario (R) Jardel was the leading scorer in Europe last season. Brasil is Pentacampeao. I'm sorry, what is your point again?
"When I was born, God looked and said 'This is the man.'" article in Spanish about "El Chapulin's" Fluminense debut http://www.ole.com.ar/um/notas/2002/08/13/n-428846.htm
And Fluminense loses to São Caetano, no goals for Romário. The point again? Pretty irrelevant I think.