romario? give it up!

[Severus]

when is brasil going to give up on this guy? don't get me wrong, i'm sure he'd be effective as a sub but for him to be considered a starter simply means to me that brasil are lacking in depth. the speedy young defenders would have a field day with the him.

[Garrincha]

No offense, but what was the last time you've seen Romario play? He's in great form, shining and scoring like crazy - last year he was Brazilian champion breaking his own goalscoring records, with over 60 goals in the season. He's not as fast as he used to be, but he's by FAR smarter and more talented than 90% other players. In this pathethic time we live in, where anybody who scores a couple of times gets overpriced and becomes an overnight superstar (examples? Anelka, Denilson, Crespo, Bierhoff), Romario is one of the last few reamining true geniuses. As the italians say it, a "fuoriclassi" (did I spell it right? ;-)). Trust me, he's back on the Brazil squad because he's demontrated that there isn't anyone better than him at what he does. And we Brazilians know good soccer when we see it...

[Severus]

fuoriclasse, and yes he is one. i can't argue with what you've said but i guess i'm still skeptical because i haven't seen him play against the top players ever since 94 and thats when we all should judge if he's still got it. we'll see in 2002 i guess ...

and you brazilians certainly know what you're talking about - just as intelligent as the italian futbol tifosi but maybe could it be that you brazilians are just too attached to romario emotionally thus preventing you from seeing what he lacks objectively?

i never said that he shouldn't be named to the selecao - in fact he would be a brilliant sub as would baggio for the azzurri because you can't replace their experience and intelligence because they're champions. i just think they're too old to be starters ...

[Garrincha]

Actually, we're having this discussion all over the country: Romario is obviously unmatched in terms of technique, and I mean in the world. There is simply NO ONE in the game today with Shorty's sheer control of the ball. But he's 35, and everybody's wondering whether he can make it to the Cup in his current top form. It's a risk, but when you have someone like Romario scoring like he is presently, you don't argue - you give him the starter shirt, and allow him to keep it as long as, 1)He gets injured or his performance levels drop, or 2)Someone else demonstrates a similarly spectacular form. <I personally think we should be giving Jardel more chances, but the Brazilian supporters never liked Jardel much, despite his obvious talent>. We'll have to see if Romario stays in his current form, 'cause if he does and he gets to the Cup, we'll all be able to sit back and appreciate his showmanship. Of course, if the OTHER ten players keep playing at the erratic rate they've been showin', the point might be moot: Neither Romario, or Pelé himself could take us to the finals.

[Severus]

i guess. if he deserves to be a starter then you can't deny him of it. but i'd like to see how much he'd contribute against some of the stronger european teams or even argentina because the competition in the latter stages of the world cup are nowhere near the level of the brasilian league. agree ?

i'll be watching argentina - brasil on tv when theyplay in their world cup qualifying match. granted, i'll probably be the only italian in the bar watching but i'm interested in seeing those 2 world powers go at it. maybe then romario will educate me or perhaps he will just enforce the point i'm trying to make - that he is too old.

who knows ... it all remains to be seen ... :thumbsup: