40 Fascinating Facts About Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha, better known as Roberto Carlos, is a retired Brazilian footballer who is celebrated as one of the most talented left-backs in the history of football. Born on April 10, 1973, in Garça, São Paulo, Brazil, Carlos is renowned for his powerful shots, exceptional speed, and precise free kicks. Throughout his illustrious career, he played for several top clubs, including Real Madrid, and was a key figure in the Brazilian national team. Here are 40 facts that encapsulate the career and achievements of Roberto Carlos.

1. Roberto Carlos was born on April 10, 1973, in Garça, São Paulo, Brazil 
2. He began his professional career at União São João in 1991 
3. Carlos made 125 appearances for the Brazilian national team 
4. He scored 11 goals for Brazil between 1992 and 2006 
5. Carlos is known for his powerful bending shots and free kicks, some measured at over 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) 
6. He was nicknamed El Hombre Bala (“The Bullet Man”) for his powerful shots 
7. Carlos is considered one of the best left backs in the history of football 
8. He started his career as a forward but spent most of his career as a left-sided full-back or wing-back 
9. Roberto Carlos played for Real Madrid from 1996 to 2007 
10. During his time at Real Madrid, he won four La Liga titles 
11. He also won three UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid 
12. He was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1998 and 2002 
13. Carlos is known for a bending 40-yard free kick against France in the Tournoi de France 1997 
14. He represented Brazil in three FIFA World Cups 
15. Carlos won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil 
16. He was part of four Copa América tournaments with Brazil 
17. Carlos played at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 1996 Olympic Games 
18. He made over 1,100 professional career appearances at club and international level 
19. Carlos briefly managed Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig 
20. He took up a player/manager role at Indian Super League club Delhi Dynamos in 2015 
21. Carlos has appeared in commercials for Nike and starred in a Nike ad set in an airport in 1998 
22. He participated in a “Secret Tournament” commercial directed by Terry Gilliam for the 2002 World Cup 
23. Carlos featured in a 2002 World Cup Pepsi commercial alongside David Beckham and others 
24. He is featured in EA Sports’ FIFA video game series and appeared on the cover of FIFA Football 2003 
25. In 2016, he launched Ginga Scout, a software connecting players with coaches 
26. Carlos was announced as an ambassador for Morocco’s bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 
27. In 2022, he co-hosted an exhibition match in Miami alongside Ronaldinho 
28. He scored a crucial goal against Recreativo de Huelva in the 2006–07 La Liga season, helping Real Madrid win the title 
29. Carlos signed with Turkish club Fenerbahçe in 2007 
30. He scored his first goal for Fenerbahçe with a diving header, his third career headed goal 
31. Carlos left Fenerbahçe in December 2009 and announced a willingness to play for Real Madrid for free 
32. He returned to Brazil in 2010 to play for Corinthians 
33. Carlos announced his retirement from playing at the age of 39 in 2012 
34. He has been described as the “most offensive-minded left-back in the history of the game” 
35. Carlos was runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1997 
36. He was chosen on the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in a 2002 FIFA poll 
37. His free kick against France in 1997 is considered one of the greatest of all time 
38. Carlos’s international career also includes winning two Copa América titles with Brazil 
39. He holds the Whites all-time record for most games by a foreigner at Real Madrid 
40. Carlos’s prodigious speed was notable, with him running 100 meters in 10.9 seconds during his prime 

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