Former Brazilian star Romario announced on Tuesday his return after having retired from the soccer world last year as the player/coach of Vasco da Gama's soccer team.
His return will be acting as Rio de Janeiro team America's coordinator of soccer.
America is currently in the second division of the Rio de Janeiro state soccer championship. The club hopes that the addition of Romario at the team will help to lift the moral and the performance of the team, leading to the team's ascension to the first division and consequently a better overall performance throughout the 2009 season.
A factor that may have led to Romario's decision to join America is his father, an avid fan of America who died in 2008.
Romario hopes to help lift the spirits of the team, which is often called the second best team in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
According to the team president, Ulisses Salgado, Romario will join the team before Easter.
"It is important for us to receive Romario in order to raise our status and prospects. We are definitely pleased with his arrival," said Salgado.
America hopes that Romario's prestige will help to bring in sponsors and investments that will increase the team's capability to hire top-name athletes as well as bettering the team's infrastructure.
To date, America has won seven state titles. Romario hopes to increase that number drastically, but hopes first to take the team back to the first division.
(Xinhua News Agency March18, 2009)
