Brazilian footballer Romario to run for Rio de Janeiro mayor

PanARMENIAN.Net - Legendary Barcelona and Brazil striker Romario, currently a Brazilian lawmaker, is to stand for election as mayor of Rio de Janeiro next year, according to press reports.

"A month ago I ruled out any possibility of standing for election but several local councilors have since told me that it would be a good thing if I did," Romario was quoted as saying by O Globo.

However, Romario will have his work cut out to win the backing of his Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), who have already given their support to the incumbent mayor Eduardo Paes, of the centrist PMDB.

"There is no chance (for Romario). We have agreed to give our support to Eduardo Paes," Alexandre Cardoso, the president of the PSB in Rio, told O Globo.

The 1994 World Cup winner says he will accept the decision of his party if they refuse to endorse his candidature, but added that he will not support Paes.

Romario has said that he will make improving preparations for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil will host, and defending the rights of disabled people the focal points of his manifesto if he does stand. In September, the 45-year-old said Brazil's 2014 World Cup organizers had "a lot of problems" due to delays in construction work, AFP reported.