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#3 Romario (USA 1994)
Before Brazil had Ronaldo, they had Romario, who was the mentor to the teenage striker, a member of the 1994 World Cup squad who was still wearing braces as Dunga lifted the game’s greatest prize following a penalty shootout win over Italy.
That bland final, utterly forgettable save for Roberto Baggio’s disastrous penalty over the bar in the shootout, was an unjust manner in which to finish the competition for a team that has shown so much attacking strength.
And strength was the word. Barrel-chested and with the spirit of a lion, this rather atypical Brazil team were led by the physical menace of Romario. He was not a graceful player in the spirit of the South American nation, but instead a fierce specimen of an attacker who offered unrivalled instincts in front of goal.
He opened Brazil’s account in a 2-0 win over Russia and would score in all three of their group stage matches.
His success continued in the knockout stages, grabbing the first in a thrilling 3-2 win over the Netherlands in the last 16 then decisive against surprise-package Sweden in the semi-finals.
When it came to the penalty shootout against Italy, of course, he held his nerve, capping a tournament that was the high point of his career.
