1. Overview
Julio César Romero (born 1960), widely known by his nickname RomeritoSpanish, is a legendary Paraguayan former footballer who primarily played as a midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Paraguayan football. His distinguished career includes winning the Copa América with the Paraguay national team in 1979, being named South American Footballer of the Year in 1985, and his notable inclusion in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers, selected by Pelé in 2004. Romero's club career spanned across multiple countries, playing for prominent teams such as Sportivo Luqueño, New York Cosmos, Fluminense, FC Barcelona, and Puebla, among others.
2. Early Life and Background
Julio César Romero's early life and the origin of his popular nickname are integral to understanding his identity in the football world.
2.1. Birth and Upbringing
Julio César Romero was born on August 28, 1960, in Luque, Paraguay. He began his football journey in his hometown, joining the local club Sportivo Luqueño in 1977, which marked the start of his professional career.
2.2. Nickname
Throughout his career, Julio César Romero became widely known by his popular nickname, RomeritoSpanish. This affectionate moniker stuck with him, becoming the name by which he was most commonly recognized by fans and media alike.
3. Playing Career
Julio César Romero's professional football journey was extensive and impactful, spanning various clubs across multiple continents and featuring significant contributions to his national team.
3.1. Early Career
Romero began his professional career at his local club, Sportivo Luqueño, making his debut in 1977. By 1979, his consistent and impressive performances earned him a place in the Paraguay national team that participated in the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup). In this tournament, Romero was widely considered one of the best players, often drawing comparisons to the equally talented Diego Maradona of Argentina, who was also a prominent figure in the competition. In the same year, Romero played a pivotal role in Paraguay's triumph in the Copa América, scoring three crucial goals en route to the national team's victory.
3.2. Club Career
Romero's club career was marked by successful stints with various teams in different countries, showcasing his versatility and skill on the international stage.
3.2.1. New York Cosmos
In 1980, Romero moved to the United States to join the now-defunct New York Cosmos in the NASL. During his tenure with the Cosmos from 1980 to 1983, he played alongside football legends such as Brazilian World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto and German World Cup-winning captain Franz Beckenbauer. Romero was instrumental in the team's success, notably scoring the game-winning goal in the Soccer Bowl '80, which secured a 3-0 victory over Ft. Lauderdale. He also contributed to the Cosmos winning the NASL championship in both 1980 and 1982. During his time with the club, he made 104 appearances and scored 37 goals.
3.2.2. Fluminense
Following his time in the United States, Romero moved to Brazil in 1983 to play for Fluminense. His period at Fluminense, which lasted until 1988, was highly successful and cemented his status as a fan favorite. He led the team to win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1984 and also secured consecutive Campeonato Carioca titles in 1984 and 1985. His outstanding performances during this period earned him the prestigious Bola de Prata award in 1984 and the South American Footballer of the Year award in 1985. For Fluminense, he played in 211 matches and scored 59 goals.
3.2.3. FC Barcelona
In 1989, Romero had a brief spell in Spain, joining FC Barcelona. Although his time with the Catalan club was short, he contributed to their success by winning the 1988-89 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He made 7 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal.
3.2.4. Puebla FC
After his stint in Spain, Romero moved to Mexico, where he played for Puebla from 1989 to 1990. During this period, he achieved significant success, helping the club win both the Mexican Primera División and the Copa Mexico in the 1989-90 season. He appeared in 81 matches for Puebla, scoring 16 goals.
3.2.5. Later Club Career
Following his time in Mexico, Romero returned to South America, where he spent the final stages of his club career. He played for Olimpia in Paraguay in 1992, where he won the Torneo República. He also had a brief period with Deportes La Serena in Chile in 1995 and played for Club Cerro Corá in Paraguay in the same year. Romero notably returned to his boyhood club, Sportivo Luqueño, for multiple stints in 1990-1991, 1993-1994, and 1996-1998, eventually concluding his distinguished playing career there.
3.3. International Career
Romero was a vital player for the Paraguay national football team from 1979 to 1990. He played a key role in Paraguay's victory in the 1979 Copa América, scoring three goals during the tournament. His consistent performances were crucial in helping the national team qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, marking Paraguay's return to the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence. At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, he continued to showcase his scoring ability, finding the net against Iraq and the host nation Mexico in the first round. He earned 32 caps for the national team, scoring 13 goals, making him one of the highest goalscorers in Paraguay's history.
3.4. Playing Style and Statistics
Julio César Romero primarily played as an midfielder, often in an attacking role, known for his technical skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability. Throughout his extensive career, he scored over 400 goals. His detailed club statistics are summarized in the table below:
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportivo Luqueño | 1977-1979, 1990-1991, 1993-1994, 1996-1998 | 257 | 77 |
| New York Cosmos | 1980-1983 | 104 | 37 |
| Fluminense | 1983-1988 | 211 | 59 |
| FC Barcelona | 1989 | 7 | 1 |
| Puebla FC | 1989-1990 | 81 | 16 |
| Olimpia Asunción | 1992 | 24 | 9 |
| Deportes La Serena | 1995 | 3 | 1 |
| Club Cerro Corá | 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| Career Totals | 688 | 200 |
4. Honours
Julio César Romero accumulated an impressive list of team and individual honours throughout his illustrious career, reflecting his significant impact on the clubs and national team he represented.
4.1. Club Honours
- New York Cosmos
- NASL: 1980, 1982
- Fluminense
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1984
- Campeonato Carioca: 1984, 1985
- FC Barcelona
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1988-89
- Puebla
- Mexican Primera División: 1989-90
- Copa México: 1989-90
- Olimpia Asunción
- Torneo República: 1992
4.2. International Honours
- Paraguay
- Copa América: 1979
4.3. Individual Honours
- South American Footballer of the Year: 1985
- Silver Award: 1979
- Bola de Prata: 1984
- Paraguayan First Division top scorer: 1990
- FIFA 100: 2004
- South American Team of the Year: 1986
5. Post-Career Activities
After retiring from professional football, Julio César Romero embarked on new endeavors, including a career in politics and a surprising venture into music.
5.1. Political Career
Romero became involved in politics in his native city of Luque. He is a member of the Colorado Party and serves as a city counselor in Luque, contributing to local governance.
5.2. Other Activities
In a notable non-football related activity, Romero made his debut as a rock singer in September 2006. He performed at "Pilsen Rock," a major Paraguayan music festival, as a guest of the popular local band Revolber. In front of an audience of 40,000 people, he sang the opening words of the song "Siete hermanos, 1 misil."
6. Legacy and Recognition
Julio César Romero is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of Paraguayan football. His talent and achievements have left a lasting impact on the sport. A testament to his enduring legacy is his inclusion in the FIFA 100 list, compiled by Pelé in March 2004, which named him among the 125 greatest living footballers. He holds the distinction of being the only Paraguayan player to be featured on this prestigious list. Furthermore, his exceptional performance in 1985, which earned him the title of South American Footballer of the Year, underscores his status as a football icon in the region.