Roberto Carlos to end Madrid stay
Friday, March 9, 2007
Article summary
Defender Roberto Carlos will leave Real Madrid CF at the end of the season after eleven years at the Bernabéu, saying he is eager "to start a new project".
Article body
Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos has said he will leave Real Madrid CF at the end of the season after eleven years at the club.
'New project'
"I'm not going to renew my contract. I think the moment has come for me to put an end to my time at the club and start a new project," the 33-year-old said. "I'm sure about it. My time at Real Madrid has ended. After three years without winning anything I had to take a decision. I don't know whether I will stay in Europe. Maybe I need to be back in Brazil close to my family."
Calf injury
Roberto Carlos joined Real Madrid from FC Internazionale Milano in 1996 and has since been a fixture in the team, winning three UEFA Champions League crowns and three Spanish titles. A FIFA World Cup winner in 2002, he has scored 46 goals in 364 Primera División matches but is unlikely to add to that tally this month after tearing a calf muscle in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League exit at FC Bayern München.