Rômulo, former Vasco midfielder, retires at 35 | OneFootball

Former Vasco midfielder Rômulo has announced his retirement from professional football at 35 after Retrô were relegated to Série D at the end of 2025.

"This year, at the end of the 2025 season, I am ending my career. Now it is about enjoying life a bit, family, being close to the children. It has been 20 years of a career, now we will enjoy life a little," Rômulo said. He told Portal Agora ED.

Born in Picos in southern Piauí, he came through Porto-PE’s academy before turning professional with Vasco in 2010. He became a starter during the 2011 Copa do Brasil triumph over Coritiba.

He then joined Spartak Moscow and featured in the Champions League, scoring against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Rômulo also represented Brazil, winning Olympic silver at London 2012 after defeat to Mexico in the final. For the senior side, he scored against Argentina in a friendly preparing for the Games.

His club career also took in Flamengo, Grêmio, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright in China, and Retrô. In 2025 he completed a third season with Retrô, making nine appearances across the Pernambucano, Copa do Brasil and Série C. The Pernambuco club finished second-bottom on 14 points.

Source: PaponaColina