Legendary striker announces political affiliation

Since his mid-nineties peak as one of the greatest footballers in the world, Romario has made more ’shocking’ returns from retirement than we care to remember. In August, the 43-year-old Brazilian revealed his intention to dust off his boots later this month for América Football Club, in order to fulfill his father’s wish to see him turn out in their red jersey.

Despite his imminent return to the game and his recent legal troubles with child support payments and illegal betting networks, the former PSV and Barcelona star yesterday announced his affiliation with the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). While the party refrained from formally announcing Romario’s candidacy for the 2010 national elections, the Spanish press seem to believe that they will attempt to capitalise on the striker’s popularity in Brazil.

Spoiler bonus: Romario’s capacity for making love on planes and romancing strippers will surely help bring some much-needed sexiness to Brazilian politics.