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Brazil legend Romario has stated his desire to become mayor of Rio de Janeiro. The former World Cup champion is currently a senator for the state of Rio de Janeiro and told Brazil's Placar Magazine of his mayoral ambitions. "There exists a big difference between the legislative and executive," expressed Romario, who is a Rio native. "To be mayor of Rio de Janeiro is a heck of responsibility. It's the most appealing political office. I want to be mayor of Rio. There's a possibility that I come in as a candidate next year. But I'm still not 100 percent sure." Romario, who famously teamed with strike partner Bebeto in Brazil's 1994 Cup triumph in the U.S., is widely regarded in Brazil as the country's most beloved living soccer player, more so than fellow Selecao legends Pele, Zico and Ronaldo. And the man Brazilians call Baixinho ("Shorty") rode his popularity to a landslide senate victory in last year's elections. "I decided to be a senatorial candidate because I saw Rio was full of thieves and corruption." said the former Flamengo and Barcelona striker. "I was elected with the highest number of votes in the history of the state. I have the credentials to be Rio's next mayor. If it's the next election or another, I don't know. But I will be someday, you can write that down."
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