You know the one. France against Brazil in 1997, a free kick, and a ball that swerved so much that people are still trying to explain the physics. Roberto Carlos hit it with a left foot that behaved more like a weapon than a limb.
It is remembered as one of the best free kicks ever scored, and it was typical of the man. The Brazilian left-back had one of the hardest shots in the game and was not shy about using it from distance.
Madrid, Brazil and a lot of running
Shooting was only part of it. Roberto Carlos had pace to burn and made overlapping runs all afternoon, and his style changed what clubs expected from a left-back.
- Won 3 Champions League titles with Real Madrid, in 1998, 2000 and 2002.
- Won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.
- Played 527 matches for Real Madrid, the most by any foreign player at that time.
He was a defender in the team sheet and a force of nature everywhere else on the pitch. That left foot was a cannon, and watching him was never dull. Pure Brazilian flair at number 24.
Tomorrow: number 23.
