Romario turns 40 and counting

In great shape and brash as ever, star wants 1,000 career scores

When Romario turned 40 on Sunday, he had a lot to celebrate. One of Brazil’s greatest players remains a scoring threat despite his age.

Romario, who led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, wants to score 1,000 goals. The 21-year veteran needs 50 goals to reach the mark. His latest goal came Saturday in his team’s 2-1 loss to America in the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

He stunned fans by clinching the scoring title last year in the tough Brazilian league. He netted 22 goals, two more than 22-year-old Argentina international Carlos Tevez of Corinthians. Romario has already scored nine times in seven matches with Vasco this year.

He was honored Saturday before the match with a No. 40 jersey with the word “(King)mario,” on the back.

posted by nscafuro @ 8:25 PM