Romário vs Pelé

It's offside!

Two of the biggest names in Brazilian football, Romário and Pelé, are known for exchange of comments and insults that go beyond the football. Family criticism and personal attacks mark the media relationship between the two soccer stars

 

 

 

The first splinters

Friction between two of the leading lights of Brazilian football began in 2005. Romário, then approaching his 39th birthday, was playing for the Brazilians of Vasco de Gama. Pelé advised the striker to "start thinking about retiring." Romário’s reply was heard around the world: "When Pelé is silent, he’s a poet."

Pelé claimed that his remarks had been misinterpreted and "just like Jesus Christ, I would forgive the ignorant."

 

 

 

 

 

Pelé - 0 «King»

Pelé began his football career in 1956 at the age of just 16, and later the same year he was called up for the Brazilian national squad. Although his career was known for his journey with Santos, Pelé ended it with the north-American club, New York Cosmos. When he retired in 1977, the "King" – as he was called by the fans – became a world symbol of football. On his journey across football pitches he scored 1281 goals, which have taken their place in the album of footballing glories.

 

In 2011, a new controversy

In 2011 a new argument between the "King" and Romário – then a federal congressman – erupted in the media. Pelé accused Romário of attacking the Brazilian Football Confederation because of the pain he had felt when he was left out of the 1998 World Cup. Romário snapped, insinuating that Pelé must be receiving money from Brazilian football’s governing body.

 

 

 

As a federal congressman, Romário questioned the ability of Brazil to organise the 2014 World Cup. Pelé disagreed with the ex-player: "I admire him. He was an excellent player, but he is poorly informed. When we meet and talk, sometimes he even apologises to me." A new statement from Pelé was quickly catapulted into the media. During the debate on the construction of the football stadia, the ex-player claimed that "the death of a worker is nothing more than a regular accident." The former Brazilian national team star proved to be far more worried about the entrance and exit of tourists from the airports during the World Cup.

The eternal number 11 came back to confront Pelé, criticising his opinions on the Brazilian team and questioning his relationship with religion and family. Romário used Twitter to denounce Pelé’s relationship with his daughter, Sandra, who was recognised by her father only after a judicial decision in 1996 and who died of cancer in 2006: "He said that he is a strong Catholic. I think that he is not as Catholic as he claims, because if he was, he would have taken on his daughter and gone to her funeral. Besides being a poet he is also a lout."

 

 

 

Romário's career

Prior to his current political role, Romário was one of the big stars of Brazilian football. His career is associated with the Brazilian club, Vasco de Gama. But Romário followed the same successful path in Europe too, having played for PSV Eindhoven (Holland) and FC Barcelona. In 2007, the newspaper, El Mundo Deportivo,declared Romário to be one of the most important players ever to have played at that Catalan club.

 

 

Prior to his current political role, Romário was one of the big stars of Brazilian football. His career is associated with the Brazilian club, Vasco de Gama. But Romário followed the same successful path in Europe too, having played for PSV Eindhoven (Holland) and FC Barcelona. In 2007, the newspaper, El Mundo Deportivo,declared Romário to be one of the most important players ever to have played at that Catalan club.