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Scoop on Romario’s Dismissal in 1998

May 12th, 2006 | By: Euler Costa | 18 Comments »

The Conference As I promised a few posts ago, I’ll reveal the real reason why Romario didn’t play in 1998. Many say he was injured, as shown in the Wikipedia, but in that conference I went with Zagallo and Parreira I learnt the truth about it.

Parreira was explaining that the 2006 team is very easy to deal with, in spite of having so many stars, because everyone clearly understands that is all about the team. I remember him saying “There is only ONE star: the team”. And with that in mind they wouldn’t have any ego issues to get in the way of the main goal.

Anger and Passion Zagallo interrupted him in a sudden and with some anger in his voice he said: “That is very important to a group! Why do you think Romario didn’t play in 1998?” Then he told the story behind the discharge.

“We were at some qualifying game and at the second half of the game we decided to substitute him for a less tired player. He went off the pitch cursing Parreira, showing his discontent. After the match I called Parreira and Romario to a room and said: ‘look Romario, Parreira is the boss around here. You can’t approve or disapprove his decisions because the command is not in your hands. You can’t rule above the chief.’ At that moment it was clear to us that he wanted to be treated different than the other players. That’s unacceptable. The command is from us to them, not the other way around.”

Breathe! Zagallo was breathing hard after the explanation. I was amazed at his passion towards the Seleção. His devotion and commitment to football and to the Brazilian fans is absolutely admirable. You could feel in his words and in his eyes the strength of his dedication towards the ultimate goal, to win once again the World Cup.

There, the real story behind Romario’s dismissal from the national team in 1998.

So you can’t have big egos in the team… so far so good, Brazil.

Tags: 1998, Brazil, Carlos Alberto Parreira, discharge, dismissal, egos, Mario Lobo Zagallo, Romario, scoop

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Comments

By smi | May 12th, 2006 at 7:48 am

Dude, your scoops are wicked.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Felipe | May 12th, 2006 at 8:05 am

Good stuff Euler. Oh…how much is learned when the cameras are off, right!?
My only problem with Zagallo’s remarks, is that they make Romario look like a mercenary and that isn’t fair. We all know that the “Baixinho” likes to be treated differently and hates to be substituted out of important games. But we must remember that a very similar impasse took place before the 94 WC and Romario came through at the end and bailed us out. They didn’t want to have him in the group, once again they used the excuse that he was injured, and when push came to shove he was called in. Remember? 1993 Brasil x Uruguay at Maracanã…what a great game. My point is, yes he can be a prima donna at times but we own him a lot.

Posted from United States

By Euler | May 12th, 2006 at 8:34 am

Thanks Stacy!

You’re right, Felipe! We owe him and nobody can deny that. But I can understand Zagallo too. How would the other players feel?

By soze | May 12th, 2006 at 9:36 am

Euler, sweet. Now you gotta get the true story behind Ronaldo’s France’98 fiasco.

By celo | May 12th, 2006 at 11:56 am

But he did indeed get injured right before the World Cup. I am trying to find this infomration out, but wasn’t he on the first list of called players and then got substituted by someone else ? Does anybody remember the exact sequence of events ?

Posted from United States

By Gute | May 12th, 2006 at 12:07 pm

Sorry Euler, but you are wrong…

First because Brazil did not participate of eliminatory (Qualification Games) in 98, therefore it was the champion in 94.

Second because Parreira arbor was not coach in 98.

Third because this history of the Romário to complain was in 92 or 93 after a game against Germany in Porto Alegre.

Romário complained to have travelled from so very far to Brazil only to be in reserves group.

In 98, the envy of Zico was the main responsible for Romário not to play.

Other problem is that Romário is a “malandro” and others players (Ronaldo, Rivaldo,…) are “caxias”. Zagallo never liked Romario´s personality.

By Bello | May 12th, 2006 at 1:52 pm

Whether it is true or not, the story I think is very EXEMPLARY.

I do not think the Eruopeans want this one in anybody else’s hand except theirs.

Brazil need to watch its back as a TEAM

Posted from United States

By celo | May 12th, 2006 at 10:03 pm

Gute, you are right. I’d imagine the incident happened in 92/93 for the 94 WC and Zagallo didn’t like it back then. But, he did play with Ronaldo in the previous year’s Copa America and Tournoi de France while Zagallo was the coach.

What I don’t remember is if Romario was already on the list and then cut because of the injury or he injured himself before the list came out.

Only thing I disagree is the Zico part. It’s not envy, he just doesn’t like Romario (like many, many people). Zico has nothing to be envious about.

Posted from United States

By Euler | May 13th, 2006 at 2:47 pm

Hi, Gute!

First, you’re right. The game mentioned was probably a friendly, not a qualifying.

Second, if I’m not insane, Zagallo was the coach in 1998.

Third, Romario complains are notorious to everyone… happens all the time.

I agree with Celo. Zico has nothing to do with it. But more important is the source of my information. I heard this information directly from Zagallo’s lips. Why would you doubt him? I know I don’t.

By Euler | May 13th, 2006 at 2:49 pm

By the way, Celo, Romario was really injured before the 1998 World Cup, but he was recovering well, as Messi, Ronaldo and Rooney (maybe) are doing now. Not a good reason for dismissal.

By Gute | May 13th, 2006 at 7:00 pm

Yes…

1)Zagallo was the coach in 1998. I just talk about Parreira was´t the coach to demonstrate that was impossible Parreira, Zagallo and Romário to have that colloquy.

2)Romario complains… Ok, but in 100% Romário is right. Ex: Alexandre Gama (Fluminense´s coach), Vanderlei Luxemburgo (2000 Sidney Olympic Game), Zagallo (96 Atlanta Olympic Game and 98 French World Cup),…

3)Zagallo is insane oldboy.. He never was good giving explanations. Ex: Ronaldo in 98 Final against French

4)Romário already was in France in 98 when it was dismissal. Zagallo and Zico are absolutely cowards.

5)Zico is the greater player of the Flamengo, the greater name in Japan and more what!? I love Zico, He was one of the biggest players who I saw to play. But we cannot deny that Zico always demonstrated envy of the Romário. Brazil has 180 million habitants and he was the only one that agreed to Vanderley Luxemburg not to take Romário for the Sidney Olympic Games. He said this in TV!!! Zico is insane.

Zico has envy therefore NEVER gained a World Cup. While Romário in gave 1 WC to them playing ALONE. Brazil was has 24 years without headings. And Zico was direct responsible for Brazil to lose a WC, without speaking that Zico played with: Falcao, Socrates, Junior… while Romário had that to play with Mauro Silva, Mazinho, Raí…

Romário is the most victim of an injustice who I already saw in my life. Was thus in Atlanta 96, France 98, Sidney 2000 and Japan2002.

Zico is truily a great one failed, bad luck guy. When he was to be assistant coachr in 98, Brazil lost the WC again. And “coincidently” Romário was dismissal.

Therefore, Romário (”the genius of the great box”, according to Cruyff, “only one which I would yield my place in 1970″, according to Tostão, “where are you??”, according to Amaral and diverse defenders, and “Son of bitch”, as Ravelli and some goalkeepes) are best and most important Brazilian player since 1970 and Zico really have envy of the Baixinho.

If Romário had played in 82 and 86, Brazil today would be seven world-wide times.

If Romário had played in the Flamengo 80′, Romário already would have 1500 gols.

By Euler | May 14th, 2006 at 12:43 am

Interesting point of view, Gute. I just want to say that Parreira didn’t say anything about Romario. It was Zagallo who told that tale. No colloquy there, just a spontanious confession from Mario Lobo.

By celo | May 14th, 2006 at 2:23 pm

Gute,

Romario is a primadona. He was very good, probably one of the best, but his attitude has always been wrong. He thinks he is bigger than the team and that’s why so many coaches have allienated him. And rightly so. He got what he deserved in 02 when Scolari didn’t call him up. I did not feel sorry for him when he was crying on national TV. He made his own destiny.

Zico on the other is a lot more humble. He knows he is good but he doesn’t go announcing it everywhere. I truly doubt he is envious of Romario. He has many accomplishments himself. To win a World Cup you need to have some amount of luck.

Posted from United States

By Gute | May 14th, 2006 at 4:02 pm

The Zico´s talent is incommensurable. He has many accomplishments himself. Yes… In Flamengo, in Japan,… but in Brazil? Nothing!!!!

Some people had criticized Romário for going to play in the United States, but when Zico was to Japan, the Kashima was a teams of 2ª Japanese division. And to turn a myth playing soccer in Japan is easy… I wanted see Zico to come myth playing beiseball. Until the Magno Alves is great name there.

Zico criticizes Romário for entering gols in training-games, but himself even though enters games in teamses masters and for the ESCOLHINHA OF FLAMENGO! sees: http://www.ziconarede.com.br/znrpub/historia/pt_hist_fichatec.htm

“He thinks he is bigger than the team” - Yes celo, He is bigger than the team… This was obvious in the 94WC. Romário is GOD!!

If defenders were allowed to use their hands… they would PRAY!!!

Posted from Brazil