Name:
Roberto Carlos Da Silva
Date of Birth:
April 10, 1973
Position:
Defender
Clubs:
União São João de Araras (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), Inter Milan (Italy), Real Madrid (Spain)
AskMen's Rating of Player:
(skills, leadership, etc., out of 100)
95
Importance to Team:
8 out of 10
Why is he a key player?:
Even if you never saw Roberto Carlos put on the yellow jersey, you'd know in an instant that he hails from Brazil. He is part of a long and prestigious lineage of soccer greats produced by his country. Like his predecessors, he is exciting to watch.
Though he is a defender, he often seems like a forward out of position, because he does not hesitate to move up the field while the ball is in his possession. He is lightning quick, and boasts the hardest shot in the world (clocked at 72 mph/115 kph). His incredible left foot kick has scored goals from all over the pitch, including some incredible shots practically from midfield.
He was the runner-up for FIFA's Player of the Year in 1998 after a spectacular season with Real Madrid (when they won the Champions League) and Brazil at the 1998 World Cup. He is one of the world's greatest players, though his small stature sometimes makes him a defensive liability. This is his biggest weakness. He also sometimes forgets the "defend" part of his "defender" title.
However, he is extremely valuable to Brazil and is the reason the national team is so dangerous on the counterattack. One false move by the opposition and Roberto Carlos can be halfway down the field before the other team even turns around. Though he isn't as vital to the success of the team as Rivaldo is, he can still dictate the tone of a game.
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