BRAZILIAN striker Romario was yesterday included in the national squad for next week's friendly game against Poland, the first time he has been picked by the national team for more than two years.

The tempestuous striker last played for his country in the World Cup final against Italy in July 1994. Since then he has been involved in a host of scandals and controversies on and off the field.

Coach Mario Zagallo, who took over after the World Cup, picked him for a friendly in late 1994 - only to hear Romario say that he did not want to play international soccer until the Olympic Games in 1996.

A furious Zagallohad refused to pick Romario since, a punishment which shattered the striker's dream of playing in the Olympics.

In announcing his decision to give Romario another chance, Zagallo said: "Obviously, his behaviour has changed."

Romario, who has 19 goats in 38 full international appearances, said: "I felt like an 18-year-old player waiting to hear that he had been picked for the first time."

Romario, who turned 31 in January, is expected to partner Barcelona's Ronaldo in attack for the February 26th match in Giania.

He returned to Brazil to play for Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo in January 1995 only to find himself getting involved in a series of incidents.

Last July Romario was sold to Spanish club Valencia but returned to Flamengo less than three months later after falling out with coach Luis Aragones. This year, he has attempted, so far successfully, to build the image of a changed man.