Romario brings soccer star power to Rio governor election

Twenty-four years after parading through Brazilian streets while lifting the World Cup trophy, Romario is again dancing in the back of pickup trucks. This time, he's campaigning to become Rio de Janeiro's next governor.

Evoking his soccer past on the campaign trail is only natural for one of the best players in a country where the sport is king.

Romario Faria de Souza has ridden his wave of stardom into a career as a lawmaker, winning one term as congressman and another as senator. Now he eyes a much bigger challenge: running a state mired in crisis politics, financing, security since the end of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

To look more like a fresh politician, the 52-year-old Romario joined a new centrist party called "We can" (Podemos in Portuguese).

Polls indicate that on Sunday the former Brazil national team and Barcelona striker will finish second to former Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, who ran Brazil's most famous city during the Olympics, and force a runoff vote Oct. 28. A runoff election will take place if none of the 11 candidates gets at least 50 percent of the vote.

On Thursday, in one of his final campaign events, the charismatic "Shortie," as he is nicknamed by Brazilians, showed off his star power in two of Rio's most violent favelas.

Any politician wishing to visit Mare and Complexo do Alemao needs approval from the drug lords who run the slums.

"How could anyone say no to this man?" said Rodrigo Alves, a 34-year-old vendor and staunch supporter of Romario, who grew up in the Northern Rio favela Vila da Penha.

"Just look around Mare and you will see: There are no ads, posters or banners of his adversaries in the governorship race. Only Romario's. Why do you think that is?" he said.

As Romario paraded through the favelas with Bebeto a Rio state congressman and a former teammate youngsters and adults ran next to his truck as if he were back in his soccer days. Women blew kisses from improvised balconies on their shacks, and men armed with assault weapons waved.

At a low period for politicians in Brazil, his supporters sing his campaign jingles and display his banners. Romario focuses more on anti-corruption slogans than on policy. But few voters seem interested in his politics.

"The people of Rio need someone that truly cares," one of Romario's jingle says.

"He is a man people know. He has the courage to change Rio. He is ready for this challenge."
"I need to make a correction here," Romario said. "I am the black man in this debate."
"That helped him in this moment of massive mistrust against traditional politicians."