How Roberto Carlos remained fit to play 1,100 games

 

Roberto Carlos is one of few players in the history of football to have played over 1,100 professional matches in their career.

And the iconic left-back spent many of those years at the peak level of world football.

Avalanche of trophies were won during the 90s and 00s, largely with Real Madrid.

The 48-year-old looks back on his time at the Bernabeu fondly, still working for the La Liga leaders as an ambassador.

And he puts his fitness down to enjoying the sport that consumed his life, as well as dedicating himself off the pitch.

In terms of his incredible longevity and what was the key to his levels of fitness, Carlos exclusively told Daily Star Sport: “I think it was the joy of playing football, and the fact I wasn’t getting injured.

“I took great care of myself – not so much towards the end, but we’re talking about a 20-year period here!

“In my time we didn’t talk about diets. Now we do! But not then.”

Asked what matters most to him now from his playing days, Carlos replied: “I think the most important thing is the atmosphere with all the teams and with all the players.

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“Obviously when you’re playing you enjoy it, but it’s this atmosphere of being surrounded by your colleagues, your friends, that’s what I enjoyed the most.

“I miss playing so much because my whole career was like playing at the top level but there was a time when it had to come to an end.”

One of those team-mates he loved to play with what Zinedine Zidane, who he infamously set up for one of the greatest and most iconic goals in the history of the game.

And looking back on that lofted cross at Hampden Park nearly 20 years ago, Carlos is as modest as ever  or maybe not.

“The pass was perfect…” he joked. “It was considered one of the best goals ever in the Champions League wasn’t it? What was important for me was to know that I participated in it.”

Roberto Carlos set up Zinedine Zidane in the 2002 Champions League final for one of the most iconic goals of all time

Looking to the future, Carlos has no ambitions to return to management following a short few stints between 2013 and 2015.

“I just want to be a coach now, nothing more than that. I’m studying but my ambition is to be a coach within the next four or five years.