One of the Brazil’s top stars, defender Roberto Carlos, has announced he is retiring from international football following his country’s World Cup quarterfinal defeat against France.
”My days playing with the national side are over,” the Real Madrid wing-back said on his personal website.
”It’s time to move on and I hope I can hand over the number six shirt to someone else who can continue to win for our country.
”Many thanks to all the players and the fans who have supported me.”
Roberto Carlos won 125 caps for Brazil after winning his first selection in a 3-0 win over the United States on February 26 1992, and he played in the 2-0 win over Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.
He also played in four out of Brazil’s five games in Germany, ending in the heartbreaking 1-0 loss to France in the quarterfinals.
Best-known for his speed and the astonishing power of his free-kicks and long-range shooting, Roberto Carlos played with Palmeiras at home before moving to Inter Milan in Italy in 1995.
But he soon left to join Real Madrid the following year and has been with the Spanish side since then as part of the famous galacticos group of big-name players that also included compatriot Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham. — AFP
