Romario Elected to Brazilian Senate After Vote for Rio De Janeiro Seat

Legendary Brazilian striker Romario has been elected to the nation's senate after winning 63.4 percent of the vote for the seat in Rio de Janeiro.

A proven winner on the football pitch, the Socialist representative easily overcame the threat of his Democratic rival. As reported by The Guardian, Cesar Maia trailed well behind with 20.5 percent of the vote, allowing Romario to impact the nation in a new chapter away from his sporting career.

Renowned for his expert finishing skills, Romario reached the 1,000-goals mark through successful spells with teams including Vasco de Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Valencia. He posted an incredible 24-year career which saw him represent teams across five continents, and of course, win the 1994 World Cup with Brazil.

It was Romario's performances with the Samba Boys which gained most traction, as his 55 strikes in 70 appearances highlight an individual who remained clinical throughout his playing career. Since retiring, the era-defining forward has made plenty of headlines through his opinions on former players and indeed, the state of Brazil as a nation.

Most famous for labelling Pele an "imbecile" and "poet when he doesn't speak," Romario's change in emphasis began with the birth of his daughter. He headed into politics upon the realisation that "no one" represented the interests of parents whose children have disabilities in the country, an important factor of the striker's life after his daughter was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome.

He questioned aspects of the World Cup, such as disabled access to each stadium, while bringing in wider issues surrounding the tournament. As noted by The Guardian, Romario represented the voice of many by questioning whether hosting such a prestigious tournament was an intelligent use of public funding.

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

Protests notoriously took place prior to the competition as thousands of organised showings against spending threatened to turn the World Cup into a farce. The Brazilian government committed to building new stadiums, travel connections and infrastructure, as money for schooling, healthcare and other basic needs took a hit.

Romario described the decision to go ahead with the tournament as "the biggest heist in the history of Brazil," reported by The Guardian. It is this association with the common man that has allowed him to gain such power and now become a member of the nation's senate.

Football writer Juan Arango hints Romario could progress even further:

Politics and footballers go together more often than you may think. Stars such as Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia), George Weah (Liberia) and Marc Wilmots (Belgium) have all been involved in political matters surrounding their own nations. Pele, Zico and Socrates are among those to have followed this route in Brazil, prior to Romario's success.

Possessing a high profile in a politically charged climate can often lead to support. Romario is not someone who would have been underlined as a potential candidate during his playing days, but his sharp wit and brutal tongue ensures he is of the right build to gain such momentum.

Leo Correa/Associated Press

Brazil's global image is defined by its footballing success, so it's no surprise someone of Romario's ilk has been given the opportunity to influence the country's more serious matters.

The World Cup was certainly entertaining, but its legacy threatens to wreak further problems over a nation which possesses extreme wealth and poverty side by side. Romario is perhaps a voice who can help eliminate the borders between such distinctions, or indeed, brighten the global media spotlight on Brazil while trying to do so.