Roberto Carlos is arguably the greatest fullback in the history of the game. He re-defined the role of a fullback from being side defenders to being wingbacks, who provide an extra dimension to a team’s attack from wide areas, playing as defenders.
Carlos was also renowned for his brilliant technique and a hammer of a left foot. He is generally regarded as one of the best free-kick takers in the history of the game.
In a match, against France in 1997, Roberto Carlos scored his iconic banana free kick, regarded as one of the greatest free kicks ever taken. The free kick defied all laws of physics.
The free kick is still regarded by many as one of the greatest free kicks in the history of the game. This freekick wasn’t a one-off for Carlos though, as he scored many more brilliant free kicks and would become a freekick specialist in his career. He took most of the set-pieces for Brazil and Real Madrid due to his dead ball skills and prowess.
Many players have now emulated Carlos’s freekick taking techniques, but none of them have been able to match the sheer majesty of Carlos. His marauding runs have also led to the complete re-defining the role of a modern wing-backs. Most of the full-backs in world football would rather prefer to attack, than defend, making the game more of a spectacle, all thanks to Roberto Carlos.
