Roberto Carlos talks to uefa.com

In the latest in a series of uefa.com readers' Q&As with Europe's top names, Fenerbahçe SK full-back Roberto Carlos discusses his side's chances against Sevilla FC in the UEFA Champions League, why he plays with a smile on his face, and that free-kick.

What do you think of Fenerbahçe's chances against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League?
Gökhan Atsiz, Turkey

Roberto Carlos: We do have a chance – it would have been worse to be drawn against AC Milan, for example. Sevilla are favourites, but we can go through if we manage to get a good result at home. We need to win 2-0 at least. If we get past Sevilla, it will depend on the draw whether there's a chance of making the semi-finals.

How many more years of football do you think you have in you?
Ali Khosroshahi

Roberto Carlos: I want to play for two more years here in Turkey and then that will be it.

What made you leave FC Internazionale Milano after just one season? Was it because you felt Italian football didn't suit your style of play?
Ram M, New York

Roberto Carlos: We had an English coach who wanted me to play as a winger. I didn't want to play that way, I wanted to play as a left-back because of the Brazil team. It had nothing to do with style or anything like that.

What is your favourite place in Istanbul?
Halil Salepcí, Ankara, Turkey

Roberto Carlos: It is called Reina. It is a restaurant and disco on the Bosphorus.

I think you should play for Brazil again – they need you, and you're still playing at a high level. What do you think?
Robert

Roberto Carlos: If Brazil still need me, I am ready. But if I was asked, I would say I would like to play tournaments, but not friendly games any more. I never had any holidays because of that and right now I'm enjoying the free time when there are gaps in the league programme.

Who is the best player you have ever played with?
Hamit Kurek

Roberto Carlos: The best I've played against is Luís Figo. As for team-mates, it has to be Zinédine Zidane. He made things easier for everybody.

What is it like to play under Zico and Fabio Capello?
Toshiki

Roberto Carlos: Zico is less tactical – he gives the players more freedom. He likes well-played football.

What do you think of the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbies?
Baz

Roberto Carlos: I put them at the same level as Real Madrid v Barcelona. The rivalry is even bigger. These are great games to play in.

Did the opportunity to play with fellow Brazilians Alex, Aurélio, Deivid, Edu and coach Zico influence your decision to play in Turkey?
Mike, New York

Roberto Carlos: Yes, that was very important. I don't know if I would have come if there weren't so many Brazilians. Not only because of their nationality, but because of the quality of the players.

How do you rate Turkish football after playing in Spain, and are you happy in Turkey?
Sonny, Brisbane, Australia

Roberto Carlos: I am very happy, yes. Look, the clubs are at the same level, and Fenerbahçe's structure is amazing. But then the football is less attacking and there are fewer good teams in our league than in Spain.

What do you consider to be the highlight of your career?
Lonki, South Africa

Roberto Carlos: The year 2002, when I won the Champions League and the World Cup. I think I should have won the Ballon d'Or or FIFA World Player of the Year award that year!

How did you end up playing left-back? Was it originally a coach's decision or the position you feel most comfortable in? Have you always played that position?
Binah, Santa Cruz, California

Roberto Carlos: It was a coach called Adaílton Ladeira who first asked me to play as left-back in 1988. I was a left-winger, but our left-back was injured at União São João, my first club, and he asked me to fill in. I said "no problem", and I've played there ever since.

In the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, you did a great job to get to Solari's pass and dart down the line. When you crossed the ball did you expect anything to happen remotely close to Zidane's spectacular left-foot volley to score, or were you as surprised as every spectator?
Daniel Senderowicz, Berkeley, California

Roberto Carlos: No, I didn't expect that. I knew he would hit the ball, but not in that magnificent way. The cross was wonderful too, wasn't it?

What was the most important goal of your career?
Arturo Bass, Mexico

Roberto Carlos: I think it was that curling free-kick in 1997 against France. That image went to every corner of the planet and it was good for me. It wasn't an important game, but that goal was huge for my image.

Roberto, you are the player that inspired me to play more and more of this beautiful game and I have one simple question: what's the secret to your smiling face, game in and game out?
Your left-back apprentice, David Bibic

Roberto Carlos: You know what, lots of people are bothered by how I am. They think I'm arrogant! That is the way I am – I'm a very happy man and I love to make people happy. I hope you do the same in life. Remember to always smile.

At the end of your football career, will you go into coaching and which league would you like to work in?
Bigday Momoh, Nigeria

Roberto Carlos: Yes, I want to become a coach after I retire. I don't know where, though. Let's see who makes the first job offer. I don't have any preference.