“A Brazilian player cannot win the Ballon d’Or” - Romario

Romário is back in the headlines, fronting the conversation once again after a revealing interview with French outlet L’Équipe. The Brazilian icon offered sharp reflections on the national team, the state of Brazilian soccer, and his own storied past – while also delivering a pointed message to Neymar Jr.: “We can’t depend on one player.”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the game, Romário carved out a legendary career in Europe with PSV and Barcelona, posting extraordinary scoring numbers. His peak came during the 1993–94 season, a campaign he himself describes as the finest of his career. In Catalonia, he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with 30 goals in 33 games and reached the Champions League final, where the team suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat to AC Milan – a loss that effectively marked the end of Johan Cruyff’s famed “Dream Team.”

At the international level, the 1994 World Cup in the United States crowned Brazil once again as the dominant force in global soccer. Romário, with five goals, was named the tournament’s MVP. Under normal circumstances, those achievements would have secured him the Ballon d’Or. However, at the time, the award was restricted to European players – a rule that changed the following year. His Barcelona teammate Hristo Stoichkov ultimately took the prize. “It really hurt not to win that Ballon d’Or,” Romário admitted.

Beyond individual recognition, Romário also questioned whether a Brazilian player could realistically win the award today. In his view, the country’s soccer landscape has changed dramatically. “Brazilian soccer isn’t what it used to be. It no longer allows players to compete for a Ballon d’Or like it did 15 or 20 years ago,” he said. He pointed to two key reasons behind this decline.

The first is the disappearance of street soccer. Romário recalled honing his craft in the favelas, arguing that the modern game’s increasing structure and “artificial” environment has stifled creativity and natural talent. The second factor is the sport’s growing physical demands. Today’s game, he suggested, prioritizes athleticism over flair – a shift that can hinder the development of gifted young players. The numbers back up his concern: Kaká, in 2007, remains the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or. Neymar came close on several occasions, but like Romário, never claimed it.

“We can’t depend only on Neymar”

Brazil enters this summer as one of the favorites to win the World Cup, and Romário has consistently placed his country among the top contenders. Still, he remains cautious, particularly when it comes to the team’s reliance on Neymar. “You can’t depend on just one player. It’s too risky. Right now we have good players like Raphinha and Vinícius, but also young prospects like João Pedro and Estêvão,” he said.

Despite lingering doubts, the World Cup winner closed ranks in support of Carlo Ancelotti, emphasizing the need for unity as Brazil looks to end a 24-year drought without lifting the trophy – a wait stretching back to 2002. Romário will be watching closely this summer, though matching the level he reached in 1994 remains a daunting challenge for any successor.

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