Romário and Bebeto, both celebrated heroes of the Brazilian National Squad, the Seleção, have been separated by a political dispute. Romário called Bebeto a “traitor”, indicating that the latter would have taken a position that Romário disagreed with.
The dispute between Romário and Bebeto emerged during the 2022 election campaign, the year in which Bebeto, a former state deputy from Rio, was a candidate for federal deputy and was not elected. They were entangled in a very controversial moment of Brazilian politics, as Jair Bolsonaro and Lula faced each other in the presidential elections.
Romário had declared his support towards Bolsonaro and joined a party close to him for the elections, where as Bebeto was aligned with Lula.
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Romário says his former partner betrayed him in politics.
Romário said he did not disagree with Bebeto, but stressed his dissatisfaction with his former companion. He said: “Betrayal. He used to be (my best partner), but not anymore. He betrayed me in politics. He jumped from branch to branch. There are things in life that I take forever, in and out of politics. When it’s with a guy you love, have lived with, and have a friendship with in every way, it’s sad.”
Bebeto, in an interview for UOL, also criticized his former companion: “Who is he to call me a traitor? Romário is getting old and I think he’s getting sclerotic, talking a lot of nonsense. I’ve had an honest career in football and politics, I’ve never been involved in controversies. I can’t say the same about him. He is an egoist, he always thought only of himself.”
Despite their political disagreement, Romário and Bebeto remain national heroes of Brazilian football and their contribution to Brazil’s victory in the 1994 World Cup will forever be remembered in the annals of sport.
