Romário, 51, now a senator who has led congressional investigations into corruption in Brazilian soccer, announced his intentions four days after CBF President Marco Polo del Nero was suspended for 90 days by FIFA.
Del Nero is being investigated in Brazil for alleged unethical conduct. He and his two predecessors, Ricardo Teixeira and José Maria Marin, have been charged in the United States in the biggest corruption scandal in football’s history.
“No one has fought so vigorously against that gang than me, and so I am a legitimate candidate,” Romário said on Instagram. “I have the qualifications for the job. My credentials are my whole contribution to football, on and off the field.”
He blamed former FIFA President João Havelange, who died last year, for installing a “system” of graft in Brazilian soccer and beyond.
Romário called for the prosecution of Marin, Teixeira, and del Nero at the end of a congressional inquiry he led last year into corruption in Brazilian football.
Romário helped Brazil win a record fourth World Cup title in 1994 in the United States.
His popularity won him a seat as a congressman and, subsequently, senator for his home state of Rio de Janeiro. He has said he plans to run for governor of Rio to reform the financially bankrupt state.