The 41-year-old scored what he claims to be his 1,000th career goal from the penalty spot last Sunday, but despite suggestions he would retire immediately, the 1994 World Cup winner has revealed he will call time on a remarkable career sometime before the end of the year.

"I will not play until the end of the Campeonato Brasileiro. I'll only play some games, but then I will retire," he said.

Vasco travel to Pernambuco state on Sunday to play Nautico in the Brazilian league's third round of fixtures.

Romario's figure of 1,000 goals has been questioned by many statisticians.