Brazil World Cup icon who Man Utd tried to buy left was penniless with 99% of fortune gone

A World Cup winner has discussed the financial issues he faced in retirement (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Brazil icon Roberto Carlos has revealed that he previously lost 99 per cent of the fortune he earned during his playing days. The World Cup winner was a revered left-back who starred at Real Madrid for more than a decade but faced financial issues in retirement.

The 53-year-old was widely regarded as the best player in his position, securing four La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs during his time in Spain. Carlos was also integral to the star-studded Brazil side that lifted the World Cup in 2002. As his glittering career began to wind down, Carlos held a sporting director license and had teamed up with brands ahead of hanging up his boots. However, Portuguese publication Record has reported that the Real Madrid legend suffered a major financial setback, which left him without any money in his account.

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“I had problems with people who left my account empty. Because of agents and family issues, I lost 99 per cent of everything I had earned in football,” Carlos explained during the Portugal Football Summit, as he sat alongside Entourage Sport & Entertainment CEO Paul Brighten. “I made mistakes and, therefore, I ask younger players not to make the same. Paul reorganised my life. With Entourage, I managed to restructure my financial and family life.

“I had a serious problem with my former agent. I had a very serious family problem. One Thursday, I went to bed at midnight and, on Friday, I received a pile of papers that I didn't even know existed. That's when I lost all control of my history.

“Everything bad that happened in my life, I tell the younger generation so they don't make the same mistakes I did.”

He added: “Today I am a happy man, and I tell my story so that everyone knows the good and bad things that happened in my life.”

Roberto Carlos openly spoke about his past financial issues (Image: Manuel Velasquez - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Carlos was a world-class talent, notably finishing runner-up to Brazil teammate Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or in 2002. That same year, the attack-minded defender admitted to being a target for Manchester United, though a marquee Premier League move never materialised.

“It is true that Manchester United want me. But at the moment that is not important,” the left-back said in 2002. “I have a contract and I am happy in the city and at Real Madrid.

“I do not know if the clubs are talking. If Real Madrid and Manchester want to, they can sit down to speak about a transfer that could happen. I am not going to put up any obstacles.

“When they come to an agreement, I will join in. Manchester United have been making inquiries about me for two years. Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken to me on occasions and I am aware that I am a player he likes.”

Carlos spent the bulk of his career with Los Blancos, where he played 527 games, scoring 69 goals and registering 117 assists, and is now working as a ambassador for the club. Following stints with Fernerbahce and Brazilian giants Corinthians, the full-back initially retired with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in 2012 before briefly becoming player-manager at Delhi Dynamos in 2015.