SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) Soccer great Romario scored his last goal and played his final 39 minutes for Brazil's national team, helping the five-time world champions beat Guatemala 3-0 Wednesday.
The match ended the triumphant international career of one of the nation's soccer idols.
''It's a very special moment,'' he said. ''I've been very proud to be able to wear the Brazilian jersey all these years. I've always played with a lot of heart, always trying to make the Brazilian people happy.''
Romario, who shed tears before the match as Brazil's national anthem was played, scored with a header from 8 yards in the 16th minute his 71st goal in 84 matches wearing Brazil's famed yellow jersey.
Romario was substituted in the 39th, and the match was stopped as he left the field with the nearly 35,000 fans at Pacaembu Stadium chanting his name.
''I've been extremely happy for all that I've accomplished,'' Romario said. ''I want to thank the fans for everything.''
The 39-year-old Romario raced around the field waving his jersey, applauded by fans, players and coaches.
It was Romario's first game with the national squad since 2001, when Brazil lost 1-0 to Uruguay in a 2002 World Cup qualifier. The hero of the 1994 World Cup championship is Brazil's second all-time scorer behind only Pele.
Brazil's top stars were not released by their European clubs, and coach Carlos Alberto Parreira used a 20-man squad from Brazilian teams mainly young prospects who rarely get a chance on the national team.
Defender Anderson put Brazil ahead with a header in the fourth minute, and striker Grafite closed the scoring with a shot from the top of the penalty area in the 64th.
Goalkeeper Marcos and midfielder Ricardinho were the only players returning from the squad that won the 2002 World Cup.
Romario was added by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation as a special 23rd player as part of a tribute to Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning side. He was Brazil's high scorer and the tournament's most valuable player.
Other members of the team, including Branco, Rai and captain Dunga, were on hand for the tribute.
Romario's last game came nearly 18 years after his debut, when he came in as a substitute in Brazil's 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland in a 1987 friendly in Dublin. His first goal also came in 1987, when he helped Brazil beat Finland 3-2 in Helsinki in another exhibition match.
He is not done with soccer, however, and recently extended his contract with Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama until the end of the Brazilian championship in December. He also will play in FIFA's first beach soccer World Cup in May.
Romario dedicated his goal to his daughter Ivy, born recently with Down's Syndrome.
</WIRE_BODY>Associated Press
The match ended the triumphant international career of one of the nation's soccer idols.
''It's a very special moment,'' he said. ''I've been very proud to be able to wear the Brazilian jersey all these years. I've always played with a lot of heart, always trying to make the Brazilian people happy.''
Romario, who shed tears before the match as Brazil's national anthem was played, scored with a header from 8 yards in the 16th minute his 71st goal in 84 matches wearing Brazil's famed yellow jersey.
Romario was substituted in the 39th, and the match was stopped as he left the field with the nearly 35,000 fans at Pacaembu Stadium chanting his name.
''I've been extremely happy for all that I've accomplished,'' Romario said. ''I want to thank the fans for everything.''
The 39-year-old Romario raced around the field waving his jersey, applauded by fans, players and coaches.
It was Romario's first game with the national squad since 2001, when Brazil lost 1-0 to Uruguay in a 2002 World Cup qualifier. The hero of the 1994 World Cup championship is Brazil's second all-time scorer behind only Pele.
Brazil's top stars were not released by their European clubs, and coach Carlos Alberto Parreira used a 20-man squad from Brazilian teams mainly young prospects who rarely get a chance on the national team.
Defender Anderson put Brazil ahead with a header in the fourth minute, and striker Grafite closed the scoring with a shot from the top of the penalty area in the 64th.
Goalkeeper Marcos and midfielder Ricardinho were the only players returning from the squad that won the 2002 World Cup.
Romario was added by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation as a special 23rd player as part of a tribute to Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning side. He was Brazil's high scorer and the tournament's most valuable player.
Other members of the team, including Branco, Rai and captain Dunga, were on hand for the tribute.
Romario's last game came nearly 18 years after his debut, when he came in as a substitute in Brazil's 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland in a 1987 friendly in Dublin. His first goal also came in 1987, when he helped Brazil beat Finland 3-2 in Helsinki in another exhibition match.
He is not done with soccer, however, and recently extended his contract with Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama until the end of the Brazilian championship in December. He also will play in FIFA's first beach soccer World Cup in May.
Romario dedicated his goal to his daughter Ivy, born recently with Down's Syndrome.
</WIRE_BODY>Associated Press
