BRAZIL icons Romario and Bebeto have traded insults in a fiery exchange, labelling one another a “traitor” and “selfish”.
The South American forwards made up a formidable duo at the 1994 World Cup, helping their country become champions for a fourth time.
But now they are slating one another in a very public spat that appears to have originated from their differing political beliefs.
Romario, a senator of Rio de Janeiro, is understood to have taken umbrage with Bebeto’s decision to support progressive candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the election.
This was because he backed far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro – who ended up being re-elected.
Speaking about his ex-team-mate Bebeto, Romario told the Cheguei Podcast do Garotinho: “Traitor. He betrayed me in politics. He jumped from the branch.
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“There are things in life that I take with me forever, inside and outside of politics.
“I see that every day, but when it happens with a guy you lived with and you have a relationship of friendship is sad.”
Bebeto, who was a regional deputy for Rio de Janeiro for three consecutive terms, then responded in explosive fashion as he raged at former team-mate Romario.
He said: “Who is he to call me a traitor? Romario is getting old and I think he’s becoming scarred, saying a lot of nonsense.
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“I have a full career in football and politics, I’ve never been involved in controversy.
“I can’t say the same of him, he is selfish, he always thought of himself.”
He then went on to add: “I did not betray anyone. Politics is done in a group and Romario always thought only of him.”
Bebeto is also still frustrated with Romario’s claim that he won the 1994 World Cup “alone”.
He said: “Nobody does anything alone. Football and politics are done collectively and Romario is an individualist.”
Romario bagged five goals at Brazil’s triumphant World Cup in the USA, while Bebeto netted three times.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
