Romario turns poacher to politician

World Cup winner Romario will try his hand in politics in his homeland Brazil, despite being under investigation for tax evasion and struggling under personal debt. The legendary striker will join the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) and stand in the 2010 federal elections.

AP

Romario hopes to be as successful in the voting box as the penalty box

A return to competitive football is also on the cards, with the 43-year-old revealing that he will turn out for Rio de Janeiro side America when he can ''lose a few kilos''.

Romario has experienced a turbulent time after hanging up the boots for Vasco de Gama last year, one lowlight seeing him sell his multi-million dollar apartment to meet debt repayments.

"I could be a candidate but my goal is to help children and sport," Romario said. "If I manage to get elected, I could help people in need. To get votes I need projects. I'm one who backs up his words.''

Alexandre Cardos, the PSB's Rio de Janeiro state chairman, told O Globo newspaper Romario can not expect any favours from voters, despite the country's passion for all things football. ''Romario will have policies and can't just depend on the votes of his supporters," he said.

Romario his first appearance for America, on the wishes of his late father, was not far away. "It was going to happen last week but I couldn't lose a few kilos I needed to shed. The return is close," he said.

The prolific striker scored 70 times for Brazil, helping them to the 1994 World Cup in the process. He claims to have scored over 1,000 times in all types of matches in his long career.