CONCERNED fans have been reassured there is a reasonable explanation to Romario’s extreme weight loss.
Brazil’s 1994 World Cup legend was pictured looking extremely gaunt alongside a fan.
However, Romario revealed it was the consequence of a recent diabetes operation — and that he feels in the best shape of his life.
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He said: “I am 51 and, today, I can say that I feel better than ever.
“Two months ago, I was operated on and now I feel very good — despite what has been said.
“When they operated me, I weighed 12t 6lbs and now I weigh 11st.
“I initially lost 2st 5lbs in the operation.
“My objective was not to be so thin, but to fight against diabetes.”
Romario’s career highlight was being Brazil’s stand-out performer as they won the World Cup in 1994.
An impressive showing for his country at the 1988 Olympics — where he was the tournament’s top scorer — saw him first move to Europe with PSV Eindhoven.
After five goal-laden seasons in Holland, which included three league titles, he moved to Barcelona as the final piece of Johan Cruyff’s feted ‘Dream Team.’
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He won La Liga in his first season but, notorious for doing things his own way and enjoying his partying, he returned to his native Brazil after two years.
Romario showed class really is permanent when he ran Manchester United’s Treble-winning defence ragged with two goals during a 3-1 victory with Vasco de Gama in the first Fifa Club World Championship in 2000, just days before his 34th birthday.
On May 20, 2007, he claimed to have scored his 1,000th professional goal with a penalty against Sport Recife.
And the match was stopped for around 20 minutes to allow Romario the chance to celebrate with his fans.
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Fifa congratulated him on the achievement, despite officially totally his goal tally at 929, with the former striker claiming he netted 77 at youth levels.
A year later, he released a DVD of his career goals, which only included 900.
Vasco de Gama celebrated the achievement by building a statue of the legendary Brazilian at the Estadio Sao Januario.
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