Every football fan in the world remembers the day Roberto Carlos scored an incredible free-kick against Fabien Bartez. It was in 1997, France and Brazil were playing in Le Tournoi in preparation of the 1998 World Cup.
“My life changed a lot after that free-kick against France,” he said. “I’d practiced in training but I’ve never seen a ball do what that one did. I had no idea how I did it – I still don’t. I’ve never taken one like it since and there is no explanation. It was an impossible goal.”
He also talked about how he nearly played in the English Premier League. Indeed Jose Mourinho wanted to sign him at Chelsea but Carlos turned the offer down.
Had he signed with Chelsea, he would have played with Joe Cole, a player he admires: “I really like Cole but he should maybe score more goals.”
“Look at Cafu,” he added. “He was always scoring lots. Brazilian full backs are irresponsible in the way we go forward. But it doesn’t matter because we play with two holding midfielders who are there to cover for that. But Ashley Cole is one of the best I’ve seen in my life. I think Cole, Paolo Maldini and Bixente Lizarazu are the three best left backs there have been.”
After a few years in Italy, Carlos made most of his career at Real Madrid. He then went to Turkey where he played for Fenerbahce. After 15 years away, he came back to Brazil and played for Corinthians.
Last January, following Corinthians elimination in the Copa Libertadores, Roberto Carlos received death threats from the fans and asked the club for his immediate release. His contract was terminated and shortly after that he signed with the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, for which he is still playing.
