SUMMARY
- Romario, the Brazilian legend, was a player who used his size to evade defenders with ease.
- Romario developed his unorthodox dribble known as "Cola de Vaca" to navigate tight spaces and evade defenders twice his size.
Romario, the Brazilian legend, was a player who used his size to evade defenders with ease. A 5’6 forward, who many would think as an easy target for defenders, Romario instead gave defenders nightmares. Let’s take a look at his story and how he created his famous move, Cola de Vaca.
Romario’s story begins in the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Armed with raw talent and determination, Romario showcased his skills on the streets of Brazil. This street soccer upbringing imbued him with an unorthodox dribbling style and a fierce hunger for goals.
While playing across streets of Brazil, Romario developed his unorthodox dribble known as “Cola de Vaca” to navigate tight spaces and evade defenders twice his size. From street necessity to global signature, this move became his calling card on the world stage.
His journey from local prodigy to global icon was not an easy one. Rejected by numerous academies for his lack of size, Romario persevered the world with his mesmerizing talent. From Vasco da Gama in Brazil to Barcelona in Spain, he left a trail of shattered defenses and bulging nets.
The moment Romario globalized Cola de Vaca
Back in 1993, during his tenure at FC Barcelona, Cola de Vaca became the iconic move. It was globalized by his name in January 1994, when Barcelona faced their arch rivals, Real Madrid in an El Clasico. Even though Barcelona won the match 5-0, the headlines were flooded with the skill used by Romario.
The way he evaded the defender with a smooth 180° turn, fans were left mesmerized by the skill. Real Madrid defender Miguel Alkorta, caught flat-footed could only watch as the ball danced past him and Romario glided it towards goal.
The Cola de Vaca wasn’t just a highlight-reel move, it was a symbol of Romario’s personality. He didn’t need to conform to established norms, he created his own magic, leaving defenders and fans alike gasping in awe.
Today, young footballers across the globe still try to emulate the Cola de Vaca. It’s a reminder of Romario’s genius, a testament to the power of street football. It was an inspiration to anyone who dares to be different, to find their unique way to conquer the beautiful game.