| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Julio César Romero Insfrán | ||
| Date of birth | (1960-08-28)28 August 1960 (age 64) | ||
| Place of birth | Luque, Paraguay | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1977–1979 | Sportivo Luqueño | 113 | (33) |
| 1980–1983 | New York Cosmos | 104 | (37) |
| 1983–1988 | Fluminense | 211 | (59) |
| 1989 | Barcelona | 7 | (1) |
| 1989–1990 | Puebla | 81 | (16) |
| 1990–1991 | Sportivo Luqueño | 35 | (11) |
| 1992 | Olimpia Asunción | 24 | (9) |
| 1993–1994 | Sportivo Luqueño | 43 | (13) |
| 1995 | Deportes La Serena | 3 | (1) |
| 1995 | Club Cerro Corá | 1 | (0) |
| 1996–1998 | Sportivo Luqueño | 66 | (33) |
| Total | 626 | (180) | |
| International career | |||
| 1979–1990 | Paraguay | 64 | (26) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Julio César Romero Insfrán (born 28 August 1960), also known asRomerito, is a Paraguayan former professionalfootballer who played as amidfielder, considered among the greatest players in Paraguayan football history. He is the only Paraguayan named byPelé as one of theFIFA 100 in March 2004.[1][2]
Born inLuque, Paraguay, Romero started his career at local clubSportivo Luqueño in 1977, by 1979 Romero's consistent performances had earned him a place in theParaguay national team that played in theFIFA World Youth Championship and was considered one of the best players of the tournament along withDiego Maradona. In the same year, Romero played a key role in Paraguay's win in theCopa América, scoring three goals.
In 1980, he joined now defunctNew York Cosmos where he played alongside such greats as the Brazilian and German World Cup winning captains of 1970 and 1974Carlos Alberto andFranz Beckenbauer. In the1980 Soccer Bowl he scored the game-winning goal of a 3–0 victory overFt. Lauderdale.[3]
Romero moved to Brazil to play forFluminense where he was selected as the South American Footballer of the Year in 1985. He became a fan favorite after leading the team to aCampeonato Brasileiro.
In 1986, he was a key player in helping the Paraguay national team return to theFIFA World Cup finals after a 28-year hiatus.[4][5] At the finals in Mexico, he scored against Iraq and the host nation in the first round.
After a short spell withFC Barcelona in Spain[6] and a stint in Mexico withPuebla F.C. Romero returned to South America where he played out his career withOlimpia,Club Cerro Corá andSportivo Luqueño in Paraguay andDeportes La Serena in Chile.
During his career, he scored a little more than 400 goals.
New York Cosmos
Fluminense
Barcelona
Puebla
Olimpia Asunción
Paraguay
Individual
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