The ace resigns from his job at Vasco. Things wonâÂÂt be the same without the mighty Shorty around...
RomarioâÂÂs career has been a feast of talent, wit, excitement and goals â so itâÂÂs a fitting coincidence that its closure comes on the day that marks the very end of the Carnival.
On the evening of this yearâÂÂs Ash Wednesday, February 6, while all over Brazil revellers were just putting down their shiny costumes, the mighty Shorty, hero of the 1994 World Cup and one of the gameâÂÂs living legends, announced the resignation from his player-slash-coach position at Vasco da Gama â and thus, perhaps, from football.
The 42-year-old decided to walk away from the job after the clubâÂÂs board tried to force him to field a forward he wanted to bench in a Rio State Championship game, against Friburguense.
âÂÂI was going to play Abuda, but they told me to choose Alan Kardec because he needed to play in order to be sold to Europe. Then I thanked them, took my hat and left. I canâÂÂt accept that kind of intervention. My story at Vasco is over.âÂÂ
So what now? Despite saying heâÂÂs still uncertain about what to do next â âÂÂI donâÂÂt rule out anythingâ â Romario had already voiced his desire to retire on March 30, when his contract with Vasco was due to expire.
In fact, just one day earlier, during TuesdayâÂÂs Carnival parade at the Rio de JaneiroâÂÂs Sambodromo, Shorty was adamant. âÂÂAfter March 30, IâÂÂll quit. I canâÂÂt go on, not even as a coach. IâÂÂll help promoting the 2014 World Cup, IâÂÂll work on that.âÂÂ
After his sudden departure from Vasco, Flamengo have already opened their doors, but itâÂÂs unlikely â even when weâÂÂre talking about the indomitable and unpredictable Romario â that the veteran will decide to resume his career anywhere else.
ItâÂÂs also worth remembering that Romario, the player, is on a doping ban for testing positive for finasteride â a medicine for hair loss. HeâÂÂs only allowed to play again on April 5, though a second appeal by the court is scheduled for the next days â the first was denied.
But whether it's the end of a brilliant career, as it seems (and Vasco should at least organise a farewell match to make up for it), or the opportunity for a surprising finale, RomarioâÂÂs departure from his alma mater is one for the history books â especially when you note that the unexpected news broke precisely 23 years after Shorty first played a professional match, donning the Vasco shirt against Coritiba on February 6, 1985.
Too bad that this time we havenâÂÂt had the privilege of seeing Romario on pitch. Minutes before the game against Friburguense, he was already in his house, ready to watch on TV as his former team-mates/players won 2-0. From his couch, he explained the decision to Extra newspaper.
âÂÂWhen Eurico Miranda (VascoâÂÂs bigwig) invited me to be the coach, I asked if IâÂÂd be the coach for real or just a bogus one. He told me it was for real.
"I said that, being the coach, I wouldnâÂÂt accept intrusions because IâÂÂd already seen things at the club that I didn't agree with. He told me all the decisions would be mine. And today he came with this story, these orders. Then I did what I had said IâÂÂd do if there was interference in my work. Period.âÂÂ
Even far, far away from the box, he keeps shooting it straight. Add it to the 1000th, Shorty. And thanks for everything â for now...
