Clubs: Vasco da Gama (1985-88), PSV Eindhoven (1988-93), Barcelona (1993-95), Flamengo (1995-96), Valencia (1996-97), Flamengo (loan, 1997), Flamengo (1998-99), Vasco da Gama (2000-02), Fluminense (2002-04), Al Sadd (loan, 2003), Vasco da Gama (2005-06), Miami FC (2006), Adelaide United (loan, 2006), Vasco da Gama (2007), America-RJ (2009), America-RJ (2024)
Other Notable Accolades: 5x Domestic League Champion; Brazil Golden Ball; Netherlands Footballer of the Year
“It has to be Romário,” Johan Cruyff told when asked who was the best player he ever coached. “You never knew what to expect with him. His technique was outstanding, and he scored goals from every possible position, most of them with his toe, funnily enough.”
That is no mean feat given that Cruyff’s star-studded Barcelona squad is known as the Dream Team.
At only 5’5″, Romário is one of the shortest players on this list. Rather than being physically outmatched, however, Romário’s shorter stature made him more explosive than the vast majority of opponents.
And once he gained a yard on his defender, he was a ruthless finisher, with the unconventional toe-poke mentioned by Cruyff — typically a no-no to maintain respect on the playground — becoming the favored technique of a man whose international goal-per-game ratio for Brazil is only bettered by Pelé.
Highest Top 99 Ranking: 14
