Roberto Carlos Bows Out of Playing Career

Thursday, 2nd August, 2012

Legendary full-back Roberto Carlos has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 39.

The Brazilian indicated in January that he was planning to retire after the end of the season and confirmed his departure from the football scene in a press conference yesterday.

The former Real Madrid man added that there have been talks for a farewell match between Los Blancos and Anzhi Makhachkala, who he represented during the last campaign.

Carlos, who is famous for his bullet free-kicks, started his career at Uniao Sao Joao in 1991 and after establishing a reputation as an attacking full-back, moved to Palmeiras in 1993. After impressive performances, the Nerazzurri came calling and the player left for Italy in 1995.

However, after only one season with the Italian giants, La Liga’s Real Madrid lured to the Spanish capital in 1996. The move started a love affair with the Bernabeau faithful as the player entertained the fans with his blistering free-kicks and calculated defending. The 2002 UEFA Defender of the Year played 370 games for Real Madrid and scored 46 goals in his eleven years at the club. He won four La Liga and three Champions League titles with the Galacticos.

After reaching the twilight of his career, the Brazilian moved to Turkish side Fenerbahce in 2007 before returning to Brazil in 2009 to represent Corinthians. It was expected that the player would retire at the Sao Paulo-based club, but he prolonged his football career long enough to have a stint in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011 before retiring at the end of the 2011/12 season.

The 39-year-old enjoyed great success with his national side too and won two Copa America titles and one World Cup. He amassed an astonishing 125 caps for Brazil.

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