Roberto Carlos retires to become Anzhi director
Reuters - Wednesday 01 August 2012, 21:43
Former Brazil and Real Madrid
full-back Roberto Carlos, famous for his booming free-kick, has
officially ended his playing career, the Anzhi Makhachkala
player said on Wednesday.
The 2002 World Cup winner, who joined the wealthy Russian
Premier League club in February 2011, has not played since being
taken off the team's squad in March.
"Roberto had been a world class player, but unfortunately he
doesn't play any more," said former Russia boss Guus Hiddink,
who was appointed Anzhi coach in February.
"Fortunately, Roberto will now take up a role to develop
this club for the good of the game in the Dagestan region and
the whole of Russia."
The 39-year-old said he was planning a farewell game against
his former club Real.
"We had met Real president Florentino Perez and discussed
such a match between Real and Anzhi," he told a news conference.
"We need to set up a date that suits both clubs. I would
like to have my farewell to be played in Makhachkala."
Anzhi's billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov said last year he
wanted to make the Brazilian the club's world-wide ambassador.
Roberto Carlos, a twice Copa America winner, won 125 caps
for Brazil and played at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
He quit the national side following the latter competition
after being villanised in Brazil where he was blamed for
allowing Thierry Henry to score the only goal in their
quarter-final defeat to France.
Raised at provincial club Uniao Sao Joao, he made his name
in Brazil during three seasons with Palmeiras, moved to Inter
Milan for one season and then Real Madrid, where he spent 11
seasons.
After that, he still had time for a stint in Turkey with
Fenerbahce before moving home to play for Corinthians.