Legendary Brazil striker Romário has announced that he is coming out of retirement to fulfil the wishes of his late father by playing for América Football Club.
The 43-year-old, who led the Seleção to the 1994 World Cup title, hung up his boots over a year ago after a long and distinguished career in which he allegedly scored over 1,000 goals.
His last official match was with Vasco da Gama in November 2007 where he also had a coaching role before taking on an administrative role at América this year.
But the former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona star has now decided to play a couple of games for the Rio de Janeiro-based club because his father was an avid supporter.
He told reporters: "I'm preparing to play and should be registered next week.
"I will feature in one or two official matches to realise my father's dream."
The struggling second division club also confirmed the news with a statement on their website: "América Football Club confirm that Romário will give a new joy to the América family.
"After taking a prominent position in the restructuring of our football club, he also will give a contribution on the pitch.
"Romário has confirmed that he will be registered to play and that he will do so in a couple of games as a form of fulfilling a promise made to his father, Edevair.
"The América family feel extremely honoured with the choice of the player and are proud to finally be able to have one of the biggest names in the history of world football wearing the red shirt on the pitch.
"And, knowing that the word 'limit' is not in the dictionary of the ace, we hope his huge collection of goals – 1002 until now – will be added to soon."
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The 43-year-old, who led the Seleção to the 1994 World Cup title, hung up his boots over a year ago after a long and distinguished career in which he allegedly scored over 1,000 goals.
His last official match was with Vasco da Gama in November 2007 where he also had a coaching role before taking on an administrative role at América this year.
But the former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona star has now decided to play a couple of games for the Rio de Janeiro-based club because his father was an avid supporter.
He told reporters: "I'm preparing to play and should be registered next week.
"I will feature in one or two official matches to realise my father's dream."
The struggling second division club also confirmed the news with a statement on their website: "América Football Club confirm that Romário will give a new joy to the América family.
"After taking a prominent position in the restructuring of our football club, he also will give a contribution on the pitch.
"Romário has confirmed that he will be registered to play and that he will do so in a couple of games as a form of fulfilling a promise made to his father, Edevair.
"The América family feel extremely honoured with the choice of the player and are proud to finally be able to have one of the biggest names in the history of world football wearing the red shirt on the pitch.
"And, knowing that the word 'limit' is not in the dictionary of the ace, we hope his huge collection of goals – 1002 until now – will be added to soon."
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