Roberto Carlos is a footballing legend, renowned for his stunning free-kicks and attacking ability from full-back.
He played in three World Cups for Brazil, helping his side to lift the trophy in 2002 in Japan and South Korea.
Carlos won an incredible 20 trophies at domestic level in his career. During that time, he played for Inter Milan and Real Madrid, winning three Champions League titles with the latter.
However, at the age of 48, the Brazil legend is now set to emerge from retirement to play for a pub team in Shrewsbury.
The Bull In The Barne squad could hardly believe their eyes when they won the services of the 48-year-old in a ‘Dream Transfer Raffle’ on eBay. He will remarkably come off the bench in one of their Shrewsbury & District games in February.
For most, playing for your local Sunday league side is a bit of a laugh. You get to keep playing the sport you love, even though the dream we all had as children hasn’t come true. But this group of lucky Shropshire lads will get to see exactly what it’s like to play with a World Cup winner.
How the Shropside side secured a legend
Striker and club secretary Matt Brown told BBC Sport: “You pay £5 to enter the raffle for a chance to have a pro sign for your team. One of our lads said in a group chat, ‘Let’s just give it a go,’ and we ended up winning it.”
“On Friday afternoon, our manager, Ed Speller, sent a message to say we won the competition. None of us believed him. We thought he was winding us up.”
“I went out on Friday night and woke up with a bit of a sore head on Saturday. I had messages from people saying, ‘Is it true about Roberto Carlos?’ and at that point, I was thinking, ‘It can’t have happened, it’s just a dream’.”
Roberto Carlos hits the Midlands
The supremely-gifted player is used to the glitz and glamour of the Bernabeu, or the symbolic history of the San Siro. But we’re sure he’ll cope with the broken showers and budget facilities that the Sunday league team have to offer.
Carlos could end up taking the position of one of their star players when he does get onto the pitch. But the team doesn’t seem to mind.
One of their squad said: “Liam Turrall is, in my opinion, the best left-back in Shropshire. But he’s probably going to have to take one game out for us. He’s a cracking player, but Roberto Carlos is another level.”
The Bull In The Barne’s resident full-back took to Twitter to express his concerns.
His parents go to every game, home and away, but we think they’ll probably understand if he doesn’t complete the full game on this occasion.
Sunday league players up and down the country are incredibly jealous that this group of lads from the West Midlands will get the opportunity to grace the pitch with a footballing icon.
Carlos isn’t the only former international footballer who will be playing for a local team. East Sussex side Pevensey and Westham FC won the opportunity to sign former Chelsea and England striker Eniola Aluko for one match.
Aluko said: “I’m genuinely so excited to play for Pevensey and Westham FC and return to where it all started – on the community football field. I’m ready to bring my A game to help these players make their mark as the new team on the block, so watch out for some goals!”
Fans react to the Roberto Carlos news
Understandably, there has been plenty of discussion on Twitter about the news that Roberto Carlos will represent a pub team.
Featured Image Credit: Getty