However, the match is being played at Vasco's Sao Januario stadium rather than the Maracana, where Romario had always wanted to reach the milestone, club president Eurico Miranda said in a radio interview.

"The party's ready," Miranda told Radio Tupi. "He will play against Sport and he will score the 1,000th goal."

"The surprise is the statue that he will have at Sao Januario. It should be ready in 20 days. It's a bronze statue which is being produced by a well-known artist."

Romario, 41, is currently on 999 goals according to his own tally, which he admits includes goals scored in friendlies, youth and testimonial games.

Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner failed to score during his last three games, all at the Maracana, and Vasco were knocked out of two championships in the process.

In addition, coach Renato Portaluppi was fired and replaced by Celso Roth.

Romario also skipped last Sunday's match away to America-Natal, which Vasco won 1-0.

"He didn't need any convincing," Miranda said. "Romario is not against scoring the 1,000th goal at Sao Januario.

He added that Romario would continue playing after scoring the goal, but only in home games in Rio de Janeiro.

"Celso Roth says he will be very useful," Miranda said.

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