10 Things Romário Wants You To Forget

7. Why He Missed World Cup 2002

Football fans the world over were denied the mouth-watering prospect of a Romário-Ronaldo strike pairing at World Cup '98 when the former suffered a torn calf muscle months before the tournament began. When Brazil eventually lost out to France in the final under farcical circumstances, millions of Brazilians were left wondering what could have been. The disappointment was felt most profoundly by Romário himself, who broke down in tears at the press conference announcing his omission. Ronaldo was equally disappointed. Romário was a mentor to the young fenomeno, who dejectedly - though accurately - predicted that their plans for the World Cup were in ruins. Four years later, the 36-year old Romário was still going strong, and set his sights on redemption at the World Cup in Japan/Korea. However, despite enormous public support for his inclusion, Luiz Felipe Scolari controversially left the striker at home. Ostensibly the snub was due to Romário missing 2001's Copa América due to eye surgery, but rumours spoke of a much more salacious motive. Scolari's trust in Romário was broken when the striker became enraptured by an air hostess en route to a qualifier in Montevideo and broke the squad curfew after inviting her back to the team hotel. Brazil, and Romário in particular, put in a dismal performance against Uruguay, and Scolari called curtains on Baixinho's involvement with the national team. Romário - who had been averaging over a goal per game for Vasco da Gama - stayed home. In his place went an injury-ravaged Ronaldo and a virtual stranger in Luizão. Scolari had the last laugh though, as Brazil lifted their fifth title. Romário could only watch on.