The legendary goal scorer wants the storied club to sign his son, Romarinho, and plans to make the case this week, according to Sambafoot.com.
"I will try and take my son there [Barcelona], "Romario said in comments he made to El Pais, Sambafoot reports. "This week I will speak with the president and [manager] Pep [Guardiola]."
Romarinho is an 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who plays in the youth team at Brazilian club CR Vasco da Gama. He's a hot prospect in his homeland, scoring a goal in the prestigious Sao Paulo Copinha tournament. His exploits caught the eye of former FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo, who Tweeted that the youngster has "the DNA of a star."
Romario Sr. has a goal scoring record that few players in the history of the world's game can match. He scored over 1,000 in his career (though some dispute that number), and is celebrated as one of the legends of the modern era.
He scored 56 goals in 71 appearances for Brazil's national team, and was a starter on the team that triumphed at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year that same year.
Romario played two seasons for Barcelona, from 1993-95, scoring 34 goals in 46 games. He helped take the club to the final of the 1994 UEFA Champions League, where it lost to AC Milan. The club holds a special place in his heart, so it is only natural that he would entrust the career of his son to the world champion.
"Barcelona meant a lot to me. I am thankful to Barcelona. They opened the door for me to become the world's best player and the best player in Europe."
After retiring from the game (for good) in 2009, he entered the world of politics. In 2010, he was elected to serve in Brazil's lower house of Congress — the Chamber of Deputies.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O'Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer's Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Photo via Flickr/Agencia Senado
