Roberto Carlos Profile

Mention Roberto Carlos and you will inevitably get a number of responses immediately saying something along the lines of.. "that free-kick against France". And whilst that was an iconic moment for the Brazilian, there was so much more to his game that you sometimes feels gets completely overlooked in favour of that momentous bending 40 yard free-kick.

What Roberto Carlos lacked in height he more than made for up for in his physicality. He had thighs like tree trunks and was quick off the mark, full of stamina and aggressive in the tackle. He was a great dribbler too, often carrying the ball from deep with surging runs down the wing. So whilst he may have become renowned for his set pieces with the majority of the mainstream media, it was the rest of his game that his coaches, team-mates and fans really appreciated.

Roberto Carlos had started out in Brazil with local SÃ£o Paulo club UniÃ£o SÃ£o JoÃ£o before moving to Palmeiras, it was with the SÃ£o Paulo giants that he started to make an immediate impact and name for himself, his attacking prowess down the left helping the club win two consecutive Campeonato Brasileiro SÃ©rie A titles in his two seasons there. His attacking flair alerted a number of European club scouts, and the 22 year-old was soon moving to Italy, joining another Young South American talent, Javier Zanetti, in moving to Inter. Whilst Zanetti would go on to become a club legend, Roberto Carlos struggled, Roy Hodgson playing him on the wing, a role that didn't suit him. Fabio Capello would snap him up for Real Madrid immediately, and from 1996 onwards Roberto Carlos would become a mainstay of their team, going on to become the clubs most capped foreign player, overtaking the record held by another club legend, Alfredo Di Stefano.

Roberto Carlos is a former Brazilian footballer who is considered to be one of the greatest left-backs in the history of the game. He was known for his incredible speed, powerful left foot, and ability to create chances for his teammates. Carlos played for some of the biggest clubs in the world and represented Brazil at the international level, leaving a lasting impression on the football world.

Born on April 10, 1973, in GarÃ§a, SÃ£o Paulo, Brazil, Roberto Carlos began his footballing journey with UniÃ£o SÃ£o JoÃ£o. He quickly caught the attention of bigger clubs in Brazil and was signed by Palmeiras in 1993. He helped Palmeiras win the Campeonato Brasileiro in his first season at the club and established himself as one of the best left-backs in the country.

In 1995, Carlos made a move to Europe and joined Inter Milan in Italy. However, he struggled to settle in and was loaned out to Real Madrid the following season. Carlos quickly made an impact at Real Madrid, and his performances helped the club win the La Liga title in his first season. He went on to become a crucial member of the team that won the Champions League in 1998 and again in 2000.

During his time at Real Madrid, Carlos formed a formidable partnership with Zinedine Zidane and was instrumental in the club's success in the early 2000s. He helped Real Madrid win four La Liga titles and three Champions League titles during his 11-year stint at the club.

In 2007, Carlos moved to Turkey and joined FenerbahÃ§e. He spent two seasons at the club before returning to Brazil to play for Corinthians. He retired from professional football in 2015, after a brief stint with the Indian Super League team, Delhi Dynamos.

Carlos' international career was equally impressive. He made his debut for Brazil in 1992 and was a key member of the team that won the World Cup in 2002. He also played in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and helped Brazil win the Copa America in 1997 and 1999.

One of the most memorable moments of Carlos' career came in a match between Brazil and France in 1997. From a seemingly impossible angle, Carlos scored a stunning free-kick that left the French goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez, stranded. The goal is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of football.