Romario scores big in Brazilian politics

"In politics I'm going to have less difficulty than I've had so far to do something for children and young people in the community and also for children with special needs. People, especially in the communities, respect me and see in me someone who came from where they are and that they can get to where I did."

--Romario, on how some voters identify with his own experience of poverty and hardship growing up in Jacarezinho, Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil soccer legend Romario scored his first goal in politics by being elected to Brazil's lower house of Congress as a member of the Brazilian Socialist Party, an ally of President Lula's outgoing Worker's Party. In amassing over 150,000 votes, Romario became the sixth most popular candidate in the state of Rio de Janeiro to enter Brazil's lower house of Congress. The 44 year old retired striker ran for office with a campaign that promised improved sports projects for impoverished communities and expanded services for special needs children. Romario's commitment to special needs children involves his experience raising his youngest daughter, Ivy, who has Down syndrome. On Monday, Romario pulled up to cast his ballot in an armored BMW before heading off to Jacarezinho, the shanty town where he was raised. Much of Romario's campaign stressed his own experience growing up in poverty in Brazil and the sincerity of his desire to improve the lives of the poor in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil more generally.

Romario scored 55 goals in 70 national appearances for Brazil and led the team to World Cup glory in 1994 after a 24 year old drought. He won the Golden Ball in World Cup 1994 and formed a lethal strike partnership with Bebeto, scoring 5 goals and providing several assists. Romario spearheaded Barcelona's clinching of the La Liga championship in 1994 by scoring 30 goals in 33 matches in the 1993-1994 season and proceeded to win the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994. In commenting on his political victory, the striker whose career spanned Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Fluminense, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Valencia noted that he had achieved every goal he had set for himself in life and now wanted to focus on serving his 4 year term in Congress in the best possible way. By his own statistics, Romario claimed to have scored over 1000 goals in his career and he promised more "goals" for Brazil by entering politics.

Known for his proclivity to celebrate the nightlife, the retired striker played true to form on Monday evening by partying late into the night with friends and family after the election results were determined. Romario's strike partner from World Cup 1994, Bebeto, also scored a political victory by earning election to Rio de Janeiro's state legislature for the Democratic Workers Party. In a post-election conference, Romario noted how he hoped to relive his successful strike partnership with Bebeto in the political realm.

Flamengo Fire Silas Days After Zico's Resignation

As expected, Flamengo's President Patricia Amorin announced the club's decision to fire head coach Silas, just three days after the shock resignation of Zico, club legend and Executive Director of Football. In the 36 days that Silas occupied the position, he led Flamengo to only one victory in 10 matches. The defending champions now have a total of 30 points in Brazil's Serie A in contrast to Fluminense, Corinthians and Cruzeiro, who have 52, 49 and 48 respectively. Former Santos, Real Madrid and Brazil national team coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is widely considered the leading candidate for the position after he was fired by Atletico Mineiro last month. Flamengo now flirt dangerously near the relegation zone in 15th place and will require a major overhaul of form in order to salvage their 2010-2011 season.

Fluminense, Corinthians and Cruzeiro draw as battle for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A heats up

The race for the championship of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A remained tightly clustered around Fluminese, Corinthians and Cruzeiro, as the three leading teams drew over the October 2 weekend against opponents further down the table. Leaders Fluminense drew 1-1 with Gremio Prudente, second placed Corinthians fought back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Ceara and third placed Cruzeiro drew 0-0 with Atletico Paranaense. Internacional are in fourth place while Botafogo, who drew 1-1 with arch-rivals Flamengo, are now in fifth.

Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and substitute Matias de Federico scored in the 70th and 82th minute respectively to salvage a point for Adilson Batista's team and avoid dropping further down the table into third place. In the case of Fluminense, striker Rodriguinho scored in the 34th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, but Muricy Ramalho's team conceded a goal to Willian Jose 18 minutes before the whistle. The race for the title is now firmly on between the top four teams, though Corinthians and Internacional have a game in hand with 26 matches played in contrast to the 27 played by Fluminense and Cruzeiro.

Zico resigns as Executive Director of Flamengo

Brazil soccer legend Zico resigned from his position as Executive Director of the beleaguered team Flamengo on October 1, citing an inability to get along with the club's management after just four months in his position. Flamengo have had 3 coaches in the space of the year and occupy the 15th position out of 20 in the Campeonato Brasileiro da Série A (Brasileiro), just one spot away from the relegation zone reserved for the last 4 teams. In a statement posted on his website, Zico remarked: "It is not possible to do what I want to do with Flamengo." "I've noticed that my presence has not been favorable and has caused discontent among a lot of people." "It's not possible for me to continue." He also cited attacks on his sons by his rivals as an additional reason for his departure. Club President Patricia Amorin tearfully addressed the media by lamenting Zico's departure and suggesting that head coach Paulo Silas would be dismissed in an apparent concession to one of Zico's demands.

Flamengo's 1-1 draw with Botafogo in the Rio derby on Saturday October 2 leaves them in 15th place in Brazil's Serie A, and renders head coach Silas's position all the more precarious. Jorge Luis Andrade and Rogerio Laurenco occupied the position of Flamengo head coach prior to Silas.

The most illustrious player in the history of Flamengo, Zico was central to its success in Flamengo's golden age in the early 1980s. The former star of the 1982 Brazilian national team and 2006 World Cup coach of Japan led Flamengo to victory in the 1981 Copa Libertadores, the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, and three national titles in 1980, 1982 and 1983. After a highly successful spate in Italy with Udinese from 1983-1985, Zico returned to Brazil to lead Flamengo to their fourth national title in 1987.

Despite winning the Brasileiro championship in 2009-2010, Flamengo have had a horrendous run of form related to the departure of striker Adriano to AS Roma, goalkeeper Bruno's suspension and imprisonment for the alleged murder of actress Eliza Samudio, differences of opinion amongst management and its revolving door of coaches.

Brazil to play Iran, Ukraine and Argentina in upcoming friendlies

The Confederation of Brazilian Soccer (CBF) recently confirmed two October friendlies for the Brazilian national team. The Selecao is scheduled to the play Iran and the Ukraine in the second week of October, and Argentina in November.

The friendly schedule is as follows:

Brazil v. Iran: Abu Dhabi, October 7, 2010
Brazil v. Ukraine: Pride Park, Derby, England, October 11, 2010
Brazil v. Argentina: Doha, Qatar, November 17, 2010

International friendlies such as these are vital for the Brazilian national team's preparation for the 2011 Copa America, 2012 London Summer Olympics and the 2014 World Cup because, as hosts in 2014, Brazil is not required to participate in the grueling South American qualification process.

The matches offer a mouthwatering opportunity for Brazilian fans to see how coach Mano Menezes takes charge of the Selecao with a group of highly talented players such as Andre Santos, Dani Alves, Robinho, Carlos Eduardo and Philippe Coutinho who have yet to fully gel together within the national team.

Coach Mano Menezes has begun to assert his authority on the team as a relaxed but visionary leader committed to allowing players to express their creativity on the field. Well known as a football addict and student of the game who views multiple matches a week from several different leagues, Mano showcased the depth of his tactical understanding of the game and ability to field multiple formations on the pitch in his coaching debut against the USA in a way that suggestively recalled Mario Zagallo's ability to transform a 3-5-2 into a 5-3-2 with Brazil's great team of 1970. Of course, the current Selecao has a long way to go to come anywhere close to Pele, Jarizinho, Tostao, Gerson, Clodoaldo and company, but Mano's squad selections and performance against the USA suggests that samba soccer may have begun to return to the Brazilian national team for the first time since 1982. Brazil have never played Iran and the Ukraine so both of these matches will pose a keen test of Mano's tactical acumen and preparation.

Brazil World Cup 1994 All Goals: Romario and Bebeto At Their Peak

Mano's Renovation Continues

Brazil coach Mano Menezes continued his radical restructuring of the Selection, better known as the Selecao, by dropping Santos teenage sensation Neymar from the national team for two international friendlies scheduled for October. Citing Neymar’s recent outburst at former Santos coach Dorival Junior, Mano noted the importance of defining the kind of professional conduct deemed acceptable for the national team. Neymar’s omission and Ganso’s knee injury pave the way for Carlos Eduardo and Philippe Coutinho to take charge of the offensive component of midfield alongside Robinho. Meanwhile, Mano’s squad continues to omit players from the World Cup 2010 such as Luis Fabiano, Maicon and Lucio in what many view as a refreshing “selection” that will be difficult to scout against given its youth and lack of a history of playing amongst one another. A close look at the roster reveals that Mano’s defensive back four is starting to take shape with Thiago Silva and David Luiz anchoring the center of midfield, and Andre Santos and Dani Alves taking the place of left and right back respectively. But the midfield and strike partnerships remain a revolving experiment both in terms of players and the precise formation that gets played on the pitch, even though Mano has historically favored either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-2-1.

Squad for Brazil's October friendlies, with opponents TBD:

Goalkeepers: Victor (Grêmio), Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Atlético PR)
Fullbacks: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Mariano (Fluminense), André Santos (Fenerbahçe), Adriano Correia (Barcelona)
Central Defenders: David Luiz (Benfica), Alex (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Milan), Rever (Atlético MG)
Midfielders: Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham),
Elias (Corinthians), Carlos Eduardo (Rubin Kazan), Philippe Coutinho (Inter Milan), Wesley (Werder Bremen), Giuliano (Internacional)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Robinho (AC Milan), André (Dynamo Kiev), Nilmar (Villarreal)