San Marino’s Murata target Romario for Champions League

[Zeppo]

San Marino’s Murata target Romario for Champions League

San Marino champions S.S. Murata said on Monday they were hoping to coax former Brazil striker Romario out of retirement for their Champions League first qualifying round tie this month.

Murata, who have won back-to-back doubles in the tiny republic on the Italian peninsula, host Sweden’s Gothenburg in the first leg on Tuesday.

“The chances of seeing Romario in our jersey are around 70 percent,” Murata’s sporting director Denis Casadei told Italy’s ANSA news service.

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[Peter R]

Them not serious at all; them aslo lookin' to sign Michael Schumacher, the ex race car driver.

pr

[Gamma]

schumacher is a moe than handy football player

[Peter R]

My comment was more about the club's intent, rather than MS' footballing ability. It looked to me like they were trying to raise a team for a "fete" match rather than advance the chances of the club. Anyway the story below says that Schmacher was invited as an attendee, not as a player. My misunderstanding.

SCHUMI AND ROMARIO REJECT CL CHANCE
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Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and Brazilian legend Romario have had to turn down the chance of playing Champions League football.
San Marino club Murata had wanted to recruit the pair for Tuesday's qualifying round tie against Gothenburg in what will be only their second appearance in Europe's premier club competition.
Coach Massimo Agostini convinced former Roma and Brazil star Aldair to join in time for the club's foray into Europe last season and was eager to bring in Schumacher and Romario in time for this year's campaign.
Aldair had sounded out his compatriot who was reportedly keen to take part, but the 42-year-old has had to reject the opportunity because of personal reasons.
"On May 23 his father died and he told Aldair that he didn't feel it was right to leave everyone to come and play," Murata sporting director Denis Casadei told Eurosport.
"It is a shame because we were close to this dream .
"However, we still have another champion with us in Aldair who I would like to thanks on behalf of the whole club for the support he is giving us.
"He passed the medical tests and he will definitely play against Gothenburg."
Schumacher, who is an ambassador to the tiny republic has also turned down Murata's offer, reportedly due to physical problems.
The seven-time world champion is a keen footballer and often makes appearances in charity football matches, but Casadei insists Schumacher was never set to play for the side.
"On this discussion I would like to clarify that the invitation to Schumacher was of course not to play, but only for his presence at the event," he added.
"He thanked us, he said he felt honoured but it can not happen because of unbreakable commitments."
Murata, who lost 4-1 on aggregate to Finnish club Tampere United at the same stage last season, play the first leg on July 15 with the return fixture taking place on July 23.