RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Veteran striker Romario scored the
1,000th goal of his 23-year career during Vasco's game on Sunday
with Sport of Recife in the second round of the Brazilian national
championship.
The 41-year-old Romario hit the milestone on a 48th-minute
penalty kick before a cheering crowd that packed Rio's Sao Januario
stadium to see the 23-year veteran.
After the goal, the game was delayed -- with Vasco leading 3-0 --
as his parents, wife and children and journalists rushed into the
field.
Romario then ran around the field waving at the crowd.
"I dedicate this goal to all the people who helped me and who
were always by my side, like my parents, my children and all of
you," a teary-eyed Romario said. "I want to thank God in heaven
for all this."
"This is a historic moment for me and world soccer," Romario
said. "I have been chasing this goal real hard and at times I
thought I may never reach it. Without a doubt, this was the most
important moment in my career as a professional player."
At the end of the 15-minute celebration, Romario returned to the
field to help his team defeat Sport 3-1.
It was the first time he has played since April 11 when his team
lost to Botafogo in a penalty-kick shootout that eliminated Vasco
from the Rio de Janeiro state championship.
Many soccer experts consider the landmark dubious. That's
because Romario counts 71 goals scored as a teenager and as an
amateur, as well as others scored in training games and unofficial
matches against small clubs.
In addition, his tally had to be revised several times because
he initially counted goals scored in matches that never happened
and in games that ended 0-0.
The mark is not recognized by FIFA, world soccer's governing
body, which says it only counts goals scored in official
competitions.
According to FIFA, Romario still has quite a way to go before
reaching 1,000 goals. Not counting the 71 before turning pro,
Romario would have 929 career goals.
Three other players reportedly have scored 1,000 goals, the most
notable being Pele, who had 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches and who
scored his 1,000th against Vasco when he was 29.