Report: Romario to sue Vasco for $16.4 million

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Romario is planning to sue Vasco da Gama for $16.4 million he says the club owes him in payments, local media reported on Tuesday.

The debt stems from image rights and other payments the club allegedly failed to pay the veteran striker, who retired from football this year after his contract with Vasco expired.

Vasco officials acknowledged the debt last year and said they were paying the player, but Romario's lawyers told the O Globo newspaper that the club stopped paying the installments in August.

Vasco officials claimed they stopped the payments because the club was short on money. Romario alleges that the team's new sponsorship deals have put the club in position to make the payments again.

Both parties said they were willing to reach an agreement, but Romario's lawyer Norval Valerio said the player will sue the club early next year if the club doesn't resume the installments.

Vasco, a four-time national champion, was relegated to the second division of the Brazilian league after a dismal campaign this year.

Romario began his football career with Vasco in 1985. Considered one of the top Brazilian strikers of all time, Romario led Brazil to its fourth World Cup title in 1994, when he was named FIFA player of the year.

The 42-year-old former striker claims he has scored more than 1,000 career goals, though FIFA officially gives him a much lower total. Romario counted 71 goals scored in amateur games, scrimmages and unofficial matches against small clubs.

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