How Long Was Roberto Carlos at Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

Roberto Carlos, the legendary Brazilian left-back, is one of the most celebrated footballers of all time. He is known for his lightning-fast pace, impeccable ball control, and deadly free-kicks.

But how long did he spend at Real Madrid? Let’s take a closer look at his tenure with the Spanish giants.

Early Career

Born on April 10, 1973, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Roberto Carlos started his footballing journey with União São João in his hometown. He quickly made a name for himself with his impressive performances and earned a move to Palmeiras in 1993.

Roberto Carlos spent two seasons with Palmeiras before moving to Inter Milan in Italy. However, he struggled to adapt to the Italian style of play and returned to Brazil within a year.

Real Madrid Career

In the summer of 1996, Real Madrid came calling for Roberto Carlos. The Spanish giants paid Inter Milan a reported fee of $6 million for the Brazilian’s services.

Roberto Carlos quickly established himself as one of the best left-backs in Europe with his blistering pace and attacking prowess. He formed a formidable partnership with another Brazilian superstar, Ronaldo de Lima.

During his time at Real Madrid, Roberto Carlos won four La Liga titles (1997-98, 2000-01, 2002-03, and 2006-07), three UEFA Champions League titles (1997-98, 1999-2000 and 2001-02), two Intercontinental Cups (1998 and 2002), and one Supercopa de España (1997).

Memorable Moments

Roberto Carlos was known for scoring some incredible goals during his time at Real Madrid. One of the most memorable ones came against France in an international friendly match in November 1997.

Roberto Carlos took a free-kick from an almost impossible angle, and the ball swerved so much that it left the goalkeeper stranded. The goal is considered one of the greatest in football history.

Another memorable moment came during the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen. With the game tied at 1-1, Roberto Carlos made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Michael Ballack and keep Real Madrid in the game. Zinedine Zidane scored the winner for Real Madrid later, and they lifted their ninth European Cup.

Departure from Real Madrid

Roberto Carlos spent 11 seasons with Real Madrid before leaving in 2007 to join Turkish side Fenerbahce. He played for Fenerbahce for two seasons before returning to Brazil to play for Corinthians.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roberto Carlos spent a total of 11 seasons at Real Madrid between 1996 and 2007. He won numerous titles during his time with Los Blancos and established himself as one of the best left-backs of all time. His incredible performances, especially his free-kick against France in 1997, will always be remembered by football fans worldwide.