New Delhi: Veteran Brazilian striker Romario scored the 1,000th goal of his career on Sunday. He converted a 48th-minute penalty in Vasco da Gama's 3-1 victory over Sport of Recife in the Brazilian National Championship.
Playing his first game for nearly six weeks, Romario had been stuck on 999 goals for three matches and the penalty gave him a golden opportunity to reach four figures.
The 41 year-old joins a select group of only three other men who have reached the magical figure.
Brazilian legend Pele is one of them, while compatriot Artur Friedenreich and Austria's Franz Binder were the other two.
Romario dedicated the goal to his wife and children and his friends.
After the goal, the game was suspended - with Vasco leading 3-0 - as his mother, father, wife, children and a horde of journalists rushed onto the field.
"This is a historic moment for me and world soccer," Romario said. "I have been chasing this goal real hard and at times I thought I may never reach it. Without a doubt this was the most important moment in my career as a professional player."
At the end of the commemoration that lasted about 15 minutes, Romario returned to the field to finish the match.
Andre Dias accounted for Vasco's other two goals in the third and 37th minutes.
Many in soccer consider the achievement dubious, pointing to 71 goals Romario counts that were scored as a teenager and as an amateur, as well as others scored in training games and unofficial matches against small clubs.
(With inputs from AP)
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