Brazilian Football legends, No 5: Roberto Carlos

We can almost smell the World Cup in Brazil, it's that close! Today, we look at another Brazilian legend in the form of Roberto Carlos.

Sponsored by Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour Although he played as a left-full back, Roberto Carlos was more like a winger. He redefined the role of the wing back. There weren't many better sights in world football than watching the man from Sao Paulo with the thunder thighs galloping down the flanks at breakneck speed. Not only that, but he had a thunderous shot on him. He was explosive in every aspect, like a stick of dynamite on legs if you will. Measuring just five foot six inches, Carlos was not the tallest and started his career in Brazil as a forward. He played in Brazil for Palmeiras before switching to Inter Milan, where he played for just one season. He then transferred to Real Madrid where he became a Los Blancos legend. He played 512 games for the Madrid club and scored 66 goals, not too shabby for a defender. His free-kicks were the stuff of legend and everyone knows about this one. You know the one. The one that defied physics and left the world open-mouthed in wonder and awe. This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdL7EDKr_rk He played in three different World Cups for Brazil, including in 2002 when they beat Germany in the final and was included in the team of the tournament after that victory. Carlos earned the nickname 'El hombre bala' ('the bullet man') due to the ferocious power of his free-kicks, some of which were clocked at over 105mph. He didn't just score free-kicks though. No, sometimes, when near the bye-line and everyone is expecting a cross, he'll strike across the ball and, you know, just whip it into the top corner leaving the keeper helpless. Like this.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXAfnFeCd1s Widely regarded as one of the best full-backs of all time, his career after Real Madrid took him to Fenerbahçe, back to Corinthians in Brazil and to Russia to play for Anzhi Makhachkala. He retired in 2012 and now presides over management duties with Turkish club, Sivasspor and he'll always be a bleedin' Brazilian legend. Brought to you with thanks to Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour.